LONE WORKING & PERSONAL SAFETY
Policy
The Care Worker Agency & We Care recognises that there may be an increased risk to the health and safety of its employees whilst working alone. For this reason, we have devised a policy which sets out our approach in both identifying these risks and adequately managing them.
Our duty to both assess and control any risks from lone working is governed by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which requires us to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of our employees. This will be achieved by carrying out risk assessments in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (as amended).
The very nature of providing care to people at home means that many employees of The Care Worker Agency & We Care will be working alone for significant parts of their working days. The company acknowledges that these people have the same rights and should have the same expectations regarding their Health and Safety as someone working within a designated office or team.
Employees working alone will also normally be working away from a ‘normal place of work’ (e.g. an office, hospital ward or care home) and instead will be working in a customer’s home. People working alone should be supported and monitored to make sure that they are well managed and supported in all aspects of their work.
Procedure
The systems of The Care Worker Agency & We Care have been designed to make sure that all staff are safe and are well supported. These fall into the following categories:
- Training:
All staff must undergo the full Induction Training Course before undertaking any work alone. The induction course addresses issues of Health and Safety and safe working practices. Employees are encouraged during the Induction Training Course to understand that their own personal safety is of paramount importance and that they must not under any circumstances place themselves at undue risk and that placing themselves at risk is NOT part of the job.
- Risk Assessment:
Every care package must be risk assessed not only from the practical issues such as Manual Handling but also with respect to the fact that the employee may be working alone. The demeanour of the customer, the neighbourhood, disputes with neighbours or the condition of external access points to the building may all have particular relevance to a person working alone and these (together with any other factors) should form part of any risk assessment. If the level of risk is unacceptable the care package should not be started until the risk has been diminished to an acceptable level or eliminated.
- Risk of violence:
All jobs involving an element of lone working may be subject to the risk of verbal threats, or violence. The company has strict policies and procedures in this respect and will also complete a risk assessment where required. Any potential risks of violence to employees viewed as unacceptable may mean that the company do not commence a care package and may also withdraw a service.
- Timed and scheduled care visits:
All employees should be working to an agreed plan which will allow the manager to monitor where an employee should be at any given time during their working day. Employees must not deviate from this plan.
- Regular customer reviews:
Assessing whether there has been any significant change in a care package will allow new risk assessment as necessary.
- Regular employee contact:
Frequent formal and informal meetings will allow and encourage employees to express doubts and fears. Employees receive supervision on a regular basis from their line manager as well as annual appraisals. Any additional training and development needs are considered including refresher training and updates such as manual handling.
- Open door policy:
Employees are encouraged to discuss any concerns with their manager.
- Personal Protective Equipment:
Care workers are provided with personal protective equipment to ensure safe working practices while providing care at home including gloves and protective aprons. This helps to reduce the likelihood of staff either passing on infections to customers or becoming infected through poor hygiene practices and therefore maintaining good health.
- Policies and procedures:
The Care Worker Agency & We Care has a number of policies and procedures in place to protect staff and ensure their welfare. These include - Bullying and Harassment; Challenging Behaviour; Violence and Aggression; Whistleblowing; Health and Safety.
General safety guidelines
Employees have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions when working. Cars should be parked in well-lit areas (if it is dark) and within sight of the customer’s home if possible. The car should not be full of ‘clutter’ and any valuables should be kept out of sight.
Care workers should always stick to the agreed rota so that someone else knows their planned route. If there appears to be a significant risk which has not been there before (such as, for example, a rowdy group of people in the path) the care worker should retreat and seek advice from the office or the emergency on-call service.
Personal safety is not just about the person concerned. The Care Worker Agency & We Care fosters an environment where everyone looks after one another and employees are encouraged to maintain a safe and secure environment throughout.
Reviewed April 2025 by Fay Townsend-Jackson