Preventing Falls Through Early Intervention

A practical discussion on how social housing providers can reduce avoidable injury, protect independence and ease system pressure through proactive home safety conversations. 

• 69 per cent reduction in reported falls through structured, personalised home visits. 

• Prevention works best when environmental risks and personal factors are tackled together. 

• Falls prevention underpins independence, reduces system pressure and strengthens housing strategy. 

Falls remain one of the most significant, yet preventable, risks facing older residents. Around one in three people over 65 fall each year, with serious consequences for health, independence and housing stability. This episode explores how early, person-centred intervention can shift the trajectory. 

Drawing on a pilot with Trent and Dove, Jules Robinson, Falls Prevention Lead at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), outlines a simple home visit model that achieved a 69 per cent reduction in reported falls. The approach focused on: 

• Combining environmental checks with personal risk factors such as eyesight, strength, balance and footwear 
• Starting prevention earlier, from age 60, to reduce first falls 
• Embedding direct referral pathways to local NHS falls teams 
• Strengthening links with community services, including befriending and specialist health support 

No large capital programme was required. The impact came from structured conversations, tailored advice and cross-sector partnership working. 

Falls prevention intersects with housing adaptations, right sizing, hospital discharge and asset management. It is not a peripheral issue but part of a wider prevention strategy aligned with safe and healthy homes. 

Resources mentioned include the RoSPA Fall Prevention Toolkit and training materials: https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/falls-prevention/professional-falls-advice/falls-and-their-impact-on-social-housing 

Practical steps for housing providers 

• Map local NHS falls pathways and identify direct referral routes 
• Equip frontline teams with short, structured fall risk prompts during visits 
• Offer opt-in home safety checks for residents aged 60+ 
• Review adaptations and right sizing policies through a prevention lens 
• Build partnerships with community and voluntary services to reduce isolation