Section 01
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish safe working practices for care workers who work alone, ensuring their safety, health, and well-being while maintaining high standards of care for service users. This policy complies with UK health and safety legislation and is designed to protect workers who may find themselves in isolated or vulnerable situations.
Section 02
Scope
This policy applies to all care workers employed by We Are Care who may be required to work alone in residential care homes, domiciliary care, or other community settings where they do not have immediate support from colleagues.
Section 03
Definitions
- Lone worker: A care worker who works by themselves without direct supervision or immediate assistance from other team members. This may occur in service users' homes, during night shifts, or in isolated areas of care facilities.
- Lone working: Any work activity carried out by a worker in an environment where they are physically isolated from others.
Section 04
Legal compliance
This policy complies with the following UK legislation:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Employers are responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of employees.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: Employers must assess and mitigate risks associated with lone working.
- Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulations 1992: Provides guidance on safe working conditions for employees, including lone workers.
Section 05
Responsibilities
- Employer (We Are Care): To assess and manage risks associated with lone working; to provide appropriate training, supervision, and support to all lone workers; to ensure that workers have access to communication tools and emergency support when working alone.
- Care worker (lone worker): To follow all procedures outlined in this policy; to report any safety concerns, hazards, or incidents while working alone; to take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of others affected by their work.
Section 06
Risk assessment
Before assigning any lone working duties, We Are Care will conduct a thorough risk assessment. This will include:
- Assessing the care needs of service users to determine any specific risks.
- Identifying any risks associated with the location of the work (e.g., isolated or high-crime areas).
- Evaluating the care worker's health, experience, and confidence in handling lone working situations.
- Ensuring that the care worker is aware of the appropriate procedures in case of an emergency.
Section 07
Lone working procedures
Communication and monitoring
- Lone workers must have access to a fully charged mobile phone and ensure it is functional at all times while working alone.
- All care workers must check in with their line manager or supervisor at the start and end of each shift. If required, periodic check-ins may be necessary depending on the situation.
- A list of emergency contacts, including senior staff and local emergency services, must be easily accessible to all lone workers.
- Care workers should immediately report any concerns, unusual incidents, or threatening behaviour to their supervisor.
Planning and preparation
- Before undertaking any lone working assignment, care workers must familiarise themselves with the location, the care plan of the service user, and the emergency procedures.
- Care workers should ensure they have adequate supplies and equipment for the task, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required.
- All lone working assignments should be planned in advance to reduce the need for unplanned, isolated situations.
Home visits
- Care workers visiting service users' homes must inform their line manager of the expected duration and address of each visit.
- If a service user's home or surrounding area poses additional risks (e.g., aggressive animals, dangerous environments), alternative care plans must be considered.
- Workers should evaluate the situation upon arrival. If any situation feels unsafe (e.g., aggressive behaviour from service users or others in the home), the care worker should leave immediately and report the situation.
Handling emergencies
- In case of an emergency, the lone worker must follow the emergency procedures for the specific care environment.
- If the worker feels unsafe, they should leave the location immediately and contact their supervisor for advice and assistance.
- If the situation involves the health or safety of the service user (e.g., medical emergency), the worker should call emergency services and provide immediate first aid within the scope of their training.
- All emergencies must be reported to the supervisor and documented in an incident report.
Section 08
Safety measures
Personal safety
- Lone workers should avoid entering areas or situations that feel unsafe or where they are unsure of the conditions.
- They should carry personal safety alarms where necessary and keep emergency contact details on hand.
- If they encounter aggressive or threatening behaviour from a service user or others, they must leave the area immediately and report the incident.
Equipment safety
- Workers must ensure that any equipment or tools required for the task are in good working order and available during their shift.
- All safety equipment, such as gloves, first aid kits, or PPE, must be used as required by the nature of the task.
Transport
- Workers using their own vehicles to travel between assignments should ensure their vehicle is roadworthy, insured, and equipped for emergencies (e.g., breakdowns).
- Workers should inform their supervisor of their planned route and estimated time of arrival.
Section 09
Incident reporting
All incidents, accidents, or near-misses that occur while working alone must be reported as soon as possible. This includes:
- Any physical harm to the worker or service user.
- Situations where the worker felt at risk.
- Security breaches or unsafe conditions in the work environment.
Section 10
Support and supervision
- Regular supervision sessions will be conducted to discuss any issues faced by lone workers and provide support where needed.
- Care workers will always have access to a senior staff member or manager, either on-site or available via phone.
- Workers should raise any concerns about their safety or ability to carry out lone working tasks during these sessions.
Section 11
Health and well-being
- Lone workers are entitled to regular health assessments to ensure they are fit to work in isolated conditions.
- Workers experiencing stress, fatigue, or other health issues due to lone working must inform their line manager immediately to assess whether changes to their work schedule are necessary.
Section 12
Review and monitoring
This policy is reviewed monthly by the Baton Care Advisory Council on the first Thursday of each month to ensure it continues to meet the needs of care workers and complies with UK legislation. Any feedback or incidents reported by lone workers will be considered during the review process.