Frequently Asked Questions.

Self-Assessment Audit FAQ for Accommodation and Suppliers

 

1. Who are Sanderson Phillips?

Sanderson Phillips is a travel safety auditing and risk management company based in the UK. We are appointed by tour operators and travel companies to undertake safety auditing on their behalf.

 

2. What does Sanderson Phillips do?

Our role is to provide support to our tour operator and travel clients who are obliged to determine whether the properties and suppliers they feature and sell to their customers have taken all reasonable skill and care to ensure the safety and well-being of their guests.

 

3. Why have I been sent a self-assessment audit from Sanderson Phillips?

You have received a self-assessment audit from us at the request of at least one of our tour operator or travel clients. In your original email we will have indicated which tour operator/s or travel organisations has asked us to contact you and send the audit. If you can’t find this information, please let us know by emailing info@sandersonphillips.co.uk and we’ll be happy to confirm.

 

4. What is the purpose of this self-assessment audit, and how will the information I provide be used?

The purpose of the self-assessment audit is to ensure your accommodation/organisation meets health and safety standards required for UK travellers, promoting guest safety and comfort. The information will be used to assess compliance and identify areas for potential improvement.

Our approach is proportionate to your property’s/organisation’s size,, and our team of safety consultants will collaborate with you to address any issues, ensuring a smooth process for the tour operator’s partnership.

Our purpose is to support and promote safe and fair travel and we will always be happy to answer any additional questions you might have and provide advice and assistance to help you make any improvements if required.

 

5. Is Sanderson Phillips authorised to request the information included in the audit?

If you have received a request for information from Sanderson Phillips it is because we have been appointed by a tour operator or other travel providing company to carry out an audit, with the aim of ensuring your property/organisation is a safe and suitable choice for their travellers.

We work closely with accommodation providers of all sizes, and our aim is to keep the process fair and manageable. We’re here to support you in meeting the tour operator’s requirements.

 

6. What specific health and safety areas does the audit cover?

The audit, managed by Sanderson Phillips on behalf of the tour operator, covers key areas of accommodation safety such as fire safety, fuel safety, hygiene, structural safety and accessibility for guests with disabilities, all in line with UK regulations. We tailor expectations to suit your property’s size, ensuring smaller providers aren’t overwhelmed, and we will always try to work with you to find practical and proportionate solutions that meet the tour operator’s standards.

 

7. Is there a deadline for completing and submitting the self-assessment audit?

Please refer to your original email where we’ll clearly outline the deadline in the audit request from Sanderson Phillips. We understand smaller properties/organisations may need flexibility and are always happy to work with you to find a timeline that suits your needs.

 

8. What are the consequences if I do not complete the audit or if my property/organisation is found non-compliant?

If the audit isn’t completed or if areas need improvement, we will follow up with a supportive discussion to work through any non-conformities. We will advise our clients of these results and any advice or restrictions they will need to bear in mind. If you choose not to complete the audit, or engage with us to answer our queries, we will inform the tour operator of this.

 

9. Are there any specific regulations or standards that the audit is based on?

Our audits are based on internationally-accepted standards of safety across all travel suppliers and we base our requirements on these, together with our expert knowledge and experience of over 25 years assessing accommodation and suppliers. We adjust requirements to fit your property’s/organisation’s size and provide clear guidance to help you meet the tour operator’s expectations.

 

10. Is there a cost associated with completing or submitting the audit?

There’s no cost to complete our standard self-assessment checklists when our clients have requested an audit. Sanderson Phillips is committed to keeping the process accessible and fair, especially for smaller providers, to support your partnership with the tour operator without added expense.

 

11. Will the audit results be made public, or are they confidential?

The audit results will be available to our community as part of the Sanderson Phillips Portal unless otherwise agreed. We do not share the audit results publicly, but any tour operator who subscribes to our services has access to the data. We operate a collaborative process where information is shared across our tour operator community, which we believe is important to maintain good standards of safety across travel suppliers globally.

 

12. Do I need to provide evidence or documentation to support my responses, such as certificates?

We may request some documentation if we need to query your checklist submission but guide you on what’s needed and work with you to gather the necessary documents to meet the tour operator’s standards.

 

13. Will there be a follow-up inspection or visit to verify the information provided in the self-assessment?

In rare cases, we may arrange a follow-up visit for a small number of properties, usually larger ones, on behalf of the tour operator. For smaller providers, we take a flexible, proportionate approach, often relying on your self-assessment unless further discussion is needed. If so, we’ll work together to address any concerns.

 

14. How long will it take to complete the self-assessment, and is it a one-off or recurring requirement?

Completing the self-assessment typically takes 20-30 minutes, depending on your property’s/organisation’s size. The audit, managed by Sanderson Phillips for the tour operator, usually takes place every three years, but this may vary depending on the request from the tour operator. Please refer to your original email for the details tailored to your business.

 

15. Are there any exemptions or special considerations for smaller accommodations, such as bed and breakfasts or self-catering properties?

Yes, Sanderson Phillips takes a tailored, proportionate approach for smaller accommodations like Bed & Breakfasts, home-stays or self-catering properties. We’ll work closely with you to ensure the process is fair, manageable, and aligned with the tour operator’s expectations.

 

16. Who can I contact if I have questions or need clarification while completing the audit?

Our supportive team is available to answer any questions you may have. Please contact us at info@sandersonphillips.co.uk with any questions or concerns. We’re committed to helping providers of all sizes and will work with you to make the process smooth and as simple as possible for the tour operator’s requirements.

 

17. Is the audit specific to UK travellers, or does it apply to all guests staying at the property?

While focused on standards for UK travellers, as required by the tour operator, our accommodation audit,  ensures your property is safe and accessible for all guests. We scale requirements to suit your operation and are here to support you in meeting these standards.

 

18. Are there any training resources available to help me understand health and safety requirements before completing the audit?
Please refer to your original email for support and advice on how to complete the audit. If you have any further questions please let us know at info@sandersonphillips.co.uk

 

 

Additional Information for Small and/or Unique Accommodations

We understand that small and unique properties, such as boutique guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, or self-catering accommodations, may have fewer resources than larger hotels.

Whatever the size of your property, we’re committed to making the audit process simple and supportive. Here are some of the ways we can assist you:

• Simplified Audit Process: We’ve designed a streamlined self-assessment for smaller properties, focusing on essential health and safety requirements, such as basic fire safety and hygiene, to keep it manageable and relevant to your setup.
• Tailored Guidance: We offer personalised support, including one-on-one consultations if needed, to guide you through the audit. We’ll suggest practical, cost-effective solutions tailored and proportionate to your unique property.
• Flexible Timelines: We know resources can be limited, so we’re happy to offer flexible deadlines to ensure you can complete the audit at a pace that works for you.
• Resource Support: You’ll have free access to user-friendly templates, checklists, and online training designed specifically for small properties, making it easier to meet the tour operator’s expectations with minimal effort.
• Collaborative Solutions: If we identify areas for improvement, our team will work with you to find affordable, practical solutions, such as recommending local contractors or sharing sample documents, to help you comply without feeling overwhelmed.

 

Our goal is to help your small or unique property thrive as a trusted destination for the tour operator’s guests, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Please feel free to contact our team at info@sandersonphillips.co.uk for help and support – we look forward to working with you.