August 2025

Olivia Nolan
Care sector expert

Results from JLA’s survey of care professionals reveal how providers are tackling sustainability goals in their care homes – and where more support is needed.

With the CQC likely to introduce new checks on sustainability measures in the near future, JLA recently carried out a UK-wide survey of care managers and workers.

The survey captured a picture of what it’s like on the ground for homes looking to achieve change while continuing to deliver high standards of care.

Here are the key findings.

Who took part in the survey?

Survey respondents were from a mixture of care homes operating between one and ten homes to those in larger care groups with ten or more.

Almost all organisations involved (96.3%) were privately owned, with just 3.7% operated by local authorities. By care setting, 40.74% ran residential care homes, 22.22% ran nursing homes, 18.52% ran specialist care facilities, and 18.52% placed themselves in the ‘other’ category.

Sustainability is on the agenda – and cost savings are driving change

Whether in single-site homes or large care groups, sustainability is now a major priority, with well over half of JLA’s survey respondents reporting it as being central to their organisation’s overall strategy and values.

What’s more, 89% of respondents believed that operating more sustainably leads to long-term cost savings, while 85% of homes are now actively seeking sustainable products and services to integrate into their processes.

Sustainability is also recognised as important to people, too. 72% of respondents agreed that measures to reduce waste and emissions are key to attracting and retaining staff, while 81% reported that the families of their residents expect sustainable care.

What’s already happening?

Encouragingly, a majority of providers reported either working on their sustainability strategies or actively making improvements. Here are just some of the initiatives that are being put into action.

• 81% are rolling out energy efficiency measures, including LED lighting and smart controls
• 70% are engaged in waste reduction and recycling
• 63% have introduced more sustainable catering practice
• 48% are sourcing more sustainable consumables
• 44% are using water conservation measures
• 41% have invested in eco-friendly laundry practices
• 33% have engaged staff in sustainability training
• 22% are carrying out carbon footprint assessments
• 22% have secured partnerships with more sustainable suppliers

Resources pose the biggest challenge

Of those surveyed, only 32% were actively reporting on their organisations’ sustainability performance – suggesting that while the intent is strong, formal measurement and tracking processes have some way to go.

Resource challenges are more significant – over half of respondents reflected that budget constraints are the largest barrier to progress, while 52% said a lack of time and resources are slowing the pace of change in their organisations.

Meanwhile, 41% reported the effect of knowledge gaps, which make it difficult for even the most committed teams to get initiatives off the ground.

Where more support is needed

Many respondents highlighted the need for quick, practical sustainability tips, as well as starter guidance packs for use in their settings. Operators also called for more reliable suppliers who can help their sustainability plans gain momentum.

Overall, JLA’s survey has revealed the sector’s strong motivation to embrace sustainability – not just for environmental reasons, but because it’s good for staff, residents and their loved ones. With more practical tools, accessible funding and committed supply chain partners, care providers should be able to turn their ambitions into measurable impact.

For further sustainability support get your free Sustainability Toolkit here.

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Fire safety expert

In facilities management, conversations about competence often focus on individuals’ skills and capabilities, emphasising professional shortcomings or a lack of knowledge. But fire safety compliance isn’t just about people – it’s also about the assets they look after, and I say this often: not all assets are equal.

When it comes to managing commercial fire safety systems, older or outdated equipment will often come with significant limitations – in terms of data as well as operations – which can lead to issues for facilities managers (FMs) that only multiply when you factor in the management of multiple properties.

Why does asset data matter?

Conventional fire alarms, as one example, are likely to lack diagnostic features, often require time-consuming manual testing, and force FMs to rely almost entirely on planned maintenance or annual system reviews for fault finding and remediation – or respond reactively when a system goes into fault.

Similarly, older sprinkler, fire extinguisher and manually operated systems are unlikely to offer performance data, making it tricky for FMs to spot inefficiencies or failures in real time, while older emergency lighting and fire doors can come with patchy records and inconsistent monitoring.

The constraints of these older systems create blind spots that threaten to impact compliance, are more likely to increase downtime, and make it much harder for organisations to maintain records and evidence their due diligence in the face of tougher fire safety regulations and the public’s desire for demonstrably safer buildings post-Grenfell.

Newer systems, meanwhile, tend to offer features like self- or automatic testing, and will provide ongoing updates about their performance and maintenance needs. Crucially, these updates and insights can usually be accessed remotely, often from one centralised dashboard where swathes of data are continuously available. This means FMs can identify potential issues before they become problems, which helps to mitigate risk, prevent costly downtime, and better support an organisation’s broader compliance obligations.

For FMs striving to maintain compliance, then, the age and complexity of their assets and operational systems will determine competence requirements and generate an extra set of challenges – potentially slowing down analysis and, as a consequence, the pace of any remedial action. The difficulty of information gathering in such environments is also compounded by facilities professionals leaving or changing contractors, with valuable asset histories and building knowledge moving away from the organisation.

So, beyond a costly – and probably unrealistic – investment programme, what can FMs do to mitigate these challenges?

Weaving in the golden thread: adopting best practice from higher risk building management

Far more than a simple box-ticking exercise, record keeping should be viewed as the cornerstone of an organisation’s fire safety compliance strategy – not least because holding detailed information and asset histories will make charting progress and collating evidence for regulators so much simpler.

Implementing a best-practice record-keeping regime doesn’t need to be daunting, though. In fact, the concept of a ‘golden thread of information’ – which is already a legal requirement for Higher Risk Buildings under the Building Safety Act – offers FMs in all sectors a clear and intuitive framework for how building and asset data can be created, maintained, and made accessible, thus improving accountability.

Of course, modern estates increasingly include assets as varied as lifts, solar panels, security, utilities and more, which can make the initial task feel complex. Yet in my experience, applying the principles of the golden thread is transformative for managing assets, easing the burden on FMs who can’t realistically be expected to know everything about the wealth of assets operating across their estate. And while continuous professional development (CPD) and training will remain essential, it’s also far better to be honest about the complexity of compliance, as well as the need for FMs to engage with accredited third-party specialists for support.

Through the golden thread, all of this is made easier. FMs have a way to centralise and protect records and critical knowledge while simplifying compliance for everything from fire doors and extinguishers to emergency lighting and suppression systems. What is more, they can see and act on real-time indicators of performance, asset status, and potential risks, further driving efficiencies and improving sustainability as they go.

Golden thread thinking in action

As one example of how having the correct data to hand can bolster compliance, we can look to the way FMs are beginning to manage the fire risk posed by the growing number of lithium batteries being used across their organisations.

Whether it is phones, laptops, power banks, cameras, or even EVs, lithium batteries are now commonplace. Yet this technology also comes with a set of new safety requirements – a fact that can be overlooked without the right guidance or data to hand.

This is where competence matters: without a properly specified and maintained management system – or the input of experts who understand the associated risks – FMs may simply not know that lithium batteries require separate risk assessments, or that standard extinguishers will not be fit for purpose.
In these situations, then, seeking the support and guidance of a specialist third-party is vital. Their involvement will ensure you have a system that is specified, installed, and maintained to produce reliable data and empower an FM to make informed decisions to stay well ahead of regulatory changes.

By outsourcing challenges like this, FMs can untangle the complex nature of rules and regulations in the current landscape, including scenarios where different priorities are in conflict. One example is the interaction between sustainability and safety, where the drive towards increased use of solar panels, timber construction, and lithium battery-powered personal mobility devices can all impact on the safety of a building and the fire safety systems required.

What is certain, though, is that modern digital tools like apps and cloud-enabled dashboards will continue to clear more paths to compliance, even for the biggest estates. And as outdated systems are replaced, and on-site assets grow ever smarter, FMs will be able to build a more accurate picture of how their organisations are performing in real-time, as well as understanding where risks are emerging, and how compliance is achieved across the board.

The future of FM

The future of compliance is changing quickly. Where once inspection was validated by a sticker telling you that an asset had been tested, the modern CAFM system provides a detailed, tamper-proof data trail which evidences the history of every asset and provides the full compliance picture that organisations increasingly need.

Greater investment in technology will only continue to simplify or automate asset management, data collection, and record keeping, which will help to satisfy regulators and enable facilities professionals to achieve higher levels of competence and efficiency.

Tragedies such as the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster have underlined the importance of building safety, and specifically fire safety, and with this the obligations of those managing buildings of any kind. Modern facilities teams are more aware than ever of their responsibilities, too, with JLA’s recent research highlighting widespread concern about regulatory compliance in fire safety and HVAC.

Of those surveyed, 20% were very concerned and 60.9% were moderately or slightly concerned, showing a degree of preoccupation with keeping up in a shifting landscape. Interestingly, 15.6% contradicted this trend and responded that they are not worried; I suspect this may reflect confidence in existing compliance processes, smaller estate sizes, or more experienced facilities professionals.

Regardless, compliance is firmly on FMs’ radars, and the consequences of non-compliance are all too real. Under current legislation, responsible persons can face criminal prosecution, severe fines, or even imprisonment. And this is before we consider reputational damage, insurance problems, or, in worst-case scenarios, serious injuries or deaths in the workplace. With all of this in mind, it’s clearly imperative that FMs continue to equip themselves with the tools, safety systems and expertise they need to protect people and assets, and stay ahead.

For more expert insights, visit the JLA Knowledge Hub.

Setting the right comfort level

Creating the warmest welcome to your establishment can sometimes mean offering a room cool on a hot day. Nobody wants to stay somewhere that’s too stuffy, too chilly, or too noisy, which is why investing in the latest air conditioning technology is worth considering if you’re looking to minimise complaints.

The latest generation of commercial HVAC equipment is designed to deliver consistent, controllable temperatures, all year round – not just in the warmer months. And with energy efficiency a priority in new designs, you’re also likely to save more electricity as you go.

Hospitality made effortless

From your kitchen to your laundry room, your back-of-house setup will define the guest experience without them even knowing.

New commercial catering equipment including combi ovens and bratt pans will help your catering teams serve up food faster, maintain consistent quality, and even expand your menus – ideal at all times of the day. Similarly, investing in new warewashers will allow your staff to spend more time on service, and less time on cleaning up.

Upgraded commercial laundry systems, meanwhile, will allow you to produce fresher sheets with faster turnarounds and improved hygiene – crucial for hotels and spas, and a cost-saving alternative to inconsistent outsourcing.

Positive experiences make for positive reviews

Maintenance-related issues are one of the most common causes of poor guest feedback, accounting for up to 45% of negative reviews for some hospitality venues. This can be down to HVAC failure, slow kitchen service, or concerns around cleanliness – all of which can be traced back to ageing or sub-par equipment.

On top of this, older systems tend to break down more often, leading to emergency callouts, downtime, and potentially lost bookings.

By investing in newer and more dependable systems, you’ll reduce the chances of disruption like this, and in turn the risk of your guests having a bad stay with you. In fact, you’ll make it far more likely that your guests will leave satisfied – even if they don’t cite your behind-the-scenes efforts when they leave five stars!

Efficiency as standard

As well as being a drain on staff time when things go wrong, older and unserviced equipment is likely to contribute more to your venue’s carbon emissions, and could well be slowing your progress on sustainability. Upgrade, and you’ll likely reduce utility costs as well as your carbon footprint.

Digital solutions like JLA Connect, our remote monitoring and proactive care solution, also provide an extra layer of visibility for busy managers. Primarily, the system helps our experts keep an eye on your washers and dryers, spotting and resolving issues before your guests can be affected by them. But by using a system like JLA Connect, you can improve machine efficiency thanks to real-time usage data and energy bill estimates, and reduce your environmental impact by monitoring your estimated CO2 emissions.

To see how else new equipment could benefit your establishment, speak to a hospitality specialist today.

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Taking care of HVAC systems with Mitsubishi Diamond Quality Partner status

7th Aug 2025

Thanks to JLA’s high quality standards carried out by our nationwide network of engineers, we have received the new Mitsubishi Diamond Quality Partner status.

Jonathan Ling
Sustainability expert

JLA’s recent UK-wide, sustainability-focused survey of care home owners and workers revealed that 67% of care home decision-makers now see it as very or extremely important that their suppliers take sustainability seriously. It’s a finding that reinforces why anyone working in the care supply chain must be able to show a genuine commitment to reducing emissions – not least because compliance increasingly depends on it.

At JLA, we look after than 22,000 organisations across 50,000 sites nationwide, including hundreds of customers in social care. Critical to our own service model are the 450 in-house engineers who provide round-the-clock coverage, up and down the country. This network is central to our responsiveness, and our success – but it’s also a huge part of our sustainability credentials. Thanks to our local service, we can reduce unnecessary mileage and cut carbon with every call-out.

Our ‘fast, lean and smart’ (FLS) approach to route optimisation and journey planning has made this even more effective. By making the most of real-time monitoring tools, we’ve now cut the average mileage per engineer visit from 27 to 21 miles, leading to a substantial saving in emissions. In fact, across our annual 200,000 site visits, this adds up to a saving of around 400 tCO₂e.

Our smarter scheduling initiative has taken place alongside a broader move to electrify our fleet. As vehicles account for the majority of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions, we’ve spent the last two years transitioning 99% of our company car fleet from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric alternatives (EVs) – and we’re actively targeting an 80% electric/hybrid van fleet by 2030. In total, these changes have already seen our Scope 1 emissions drop by 11% since 2022, from 4,071 tCO2e to 3,550 tCO2e.

But our commitment to efficiency doesn’t stop on the road, either. With over 350,000 OEM parts available across our network at any one time, we’re proud to be able to resolve the majority of our customers’ equipment issues on the very first visit – and often well within our 8-hour SLA. This not only means less downtime for the care homes we support, but fewer emissions caused by return visits and repeat journeys.

And as we continue to expand our remote equipment monitoring and proactive care platform, JLA Connect, we expect to help our care home customers make further savings by spotting issues sooner and further reducing the need for on-site visits.

To catch up on our recent free webinar – which covers vital insights from our recent care sector survey and summer workshop, plus practical guidance on energy-saving measures that won’t compromise your standards of car – please visit us here.

Raising industry standards

Diamond Quality Partner status is reserved for organisations with a commitment to excellence. Mitsubishi Electric’s Partner Programme is designed to uphold the highest standards across the HVAC industry, encompassing the supply of equipment as well as the quality of system design and installation. The Diamond Quality Partner accreditation recognises organisations that consistently deliver superior performance and workmanship.

Only businesses who are dedicated to aligning with a leading manufacturer and capable of meeting stringent criteria are eligible to apply for this prestigious status. This allows the JLA HVAC team meets these standards, which provides confidence to JLA customers across the UK.

Recognised industry-wide for HVAC installation excellence

JLA has supplied, installed and looked after Mitsubishi Electric’s commercial HVAC systems for many years. From the start, we’ve always worked closely with the manufacturer as well as our customers to deliver the best possible results.

Our new Diamond Quality Partner status recognises this commitment to excellence and underlines our ability to meet exacting standards at every step of a project.

What Mitsubishi’s endorsement means for you

Whether we’re upgrading an existing air conditioning system or managing a new commercial HVAC installation from start to finish, Mitsubishi Diamond Quality Partner status means you can be assured of the best possible workmanship and reliable ongoing support.

What’s more, our Diamond Quality Partner status has given us access to new tools that allow our teams to optimise HVAC system design and monitor performance for improved efficiency.

Even better, our new status means we can now offer all HVAC customers a 10-year warranty on Mitsubishi’s air conditioning systems. It’s extra peace of mind that your critical systems are covered.

Enhancing our commercial air conditioning service

The Diamond Quality Partner allows JLA to better support air conditioning customers and provides them with reassurance. Our main range of Mitsubishi air conditioning solutions include both wall mounted and ceiling casette units.

Mitsubishi wall-mounted air conditioning
Wall-mounted systems are a proven solution in commercial environments due to their sleek design, quiet operation, and energy efficiency. These units are mounted high on the wall, so they are ideal for rooms where floor space is limited.

Their compact form factor makes them especially suitable for offices, hotel rooms, and smaller retail spaces.

Mitsubishi ceiling cassette air conditioning systems
Installed flush into the ceiling, these systems deliver 360-degree airflow, ensuring consistent cooling or heating to the specified temperature.

They are ideal for settings like offices, restaurants and gyms where aesthetics are important along with a high performance and reliability. Cassette units also offer ‘i-see’ technology to automatically ‘sense’ room occupancy, ambient body temperature and position.

Let JLA take care of it

If you’re looking to improve comfort while reducing your running costs with more efficient units, why not explore our HVAC solutions in more detail? Alternatively, speak to one of our HVAC experts today.

Staying compliant with fire safety regulations

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 governs fire safety in the UK and puts a duty of care on your Responsible Person – usually a headteacher or site manager – to make sure suitable fire safety precautions are in place and kept fully up to date. Part of this role is to carry out fire risk assessments, keep records of those findings, and manage any risks or hazards found. The Responsible Person will then oversee emergency planning.

Buildings used for education, especially newer units, are also expected to be designed and managed in line with Building Bulletin 100 (BB100), which covers expectations for fire safety engineering, and is intended to make educational buildings as safe as possible for students and staff. The guidance covers everything from material choices and fire safety equipment through to risk tools, and is a useful resource for anyone making decisions.

Handling fire risk assessments and planning

Fire risk assessments are mandated for all non-residential premises as part of the Fire Safety Order. Doing one annually is also the best way to stay on top of new or developing hazards in your setting – especially if you’ve recently upgraded or changed the use of a building on your site.

All fire risk assessments should follow a clear, step-by-step process that looks at everything from escape routes and fire detection systems to fire doors and evacuation procedures. These elements will then inform a regularly updated report as well as an actionable plan to mitigate risks using approved fire safety measures.

Of course, different school types are likely to need different responses. A boarding school, for instance, will probably need to place greater emphasis on escape planning, while a school that caters for students who are less able may need to consider a more inclusive policy. For this reason, engaging with a third-party fire safety specialist may be useful – this way, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have the right response in place for your exact needs.

Servicing and certifying critical equipment

With safety policies in place behind the scenes, having the right warning and suppression equipment in place is essential. Staying safe and compliant means investing in the right equipment for your setting, which will usually mean maintaining fire-rated doors, alarms and sounders, automatic opening vents, fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems.

Proactive maintenance and documentation including Log Books for this equipment is just as important. Common issues in schools can include wedged-open fire doors, outdated systems, and inadequate signage, which can all-too-easily threaten safety as well as compliance. Regular inspections will catch and prevent these issues, and ensure all systems have been checked and certified as ready to work in an emergency.

Training and awareness

Even with the best systems installed, you’ll still need to invest in fire safety training and awareness – for students as well as your responsible staff. In fact, fire safety should be embedded in your school’s day-to-day routines, and treated as a priority for everybody in the building.

This means training your staff on all relevant protocols, involving and educating your students on evacuation and/or alarm-sounding plans, and carrying out regular fire drills so you can review and optimise your response. What’s more, you should make sure there are clear instructions visible in your classrooms and corridors.

Read more in our guide to creating a fire safety plan.

Managing fire safety across larger trusts or estates

Every building’s needs are different, which makes managing fire safety across multiple sites a more complex challenge.

This is where compliance systems and digital record-keeping will come into their own, giving your facilities team a centralised overview of all relevant equipment and compliance data, as well as standardised assessment templates – often from a single dashboard.

To further improve consistency and avoid gaps, it might be the case that you look to employ a dedicated fire safety lead for your institution. Similarly, a third-party fire safety partner could help you manage multi-site inspections, freeing you up to concentrate on everything else.

Staying inspection-ready

Your ongoing fire safety compliance could be reviewed regularly by bodies including Ofsted, school trust boards, and other external auditors.

At the very least, you’ll need to show a paper trail with evidence of recent fire risk assessments, equipment testing and certification, and records of any training or drills carried out. This is why keeping records matters – not only for your peace of mind, but for reasons of accountability. It’s also the best way to avoid a panicked, last-minute scramble. Build these habits into your daily routines, and you’ll enjoy the confidence that you could be audited at any time and still have everything covered.

For more help with understanding your responsibilities and keeping equipment in good shape, why not speak to a JLA fire safety specialist? With a century of combined experience, we’re always ready to help.

For more expert insights, visit the JLA Knowledge Hub.

Total Care

Who took part in the survey?

Sustainability is on the agenda – and cost savings are driving change

What’s already happening?

Resources pose the biggest challenge

Where more support is needed

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About JLA

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Olivia Nolan

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Kathryn Glover

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HVAC expert

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