Policies & Procedures
Lone Worker Policy v1.0
Document owner | Registered Manager / Director |
Approved by | Mrs. Tavleen Sharma (Registered Manager) |
Version | 1.0 |
Review frequency | Every 12 months or following any significant incident |
Next review date | 12 months from issue or earlier if required. Next formal review date: 01-04-2027 |
1. Policy Statement
VCare Consultancy Services Limited recognises that many employees, particularly domiciliary care and support workers, may be required to work alone as part of their duties.
The organisation is committed to ensuring, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety, wellbeing and security of all lone workers whilst undertaking work activities.
VCare acknowledges its legal duty to:
- assess risks to lone workers;
- implement appropriate control measures;
- provide suitable support and supervision;
- ensure staff can work safely;
- respond appropriately to emergencies and incidents.
The organisation operates a zero-tolerance approach towards violence, abuse, intimidation or threats against staff.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
- protect lone workers from foreseeable risks;
- establish safe systems of work;
- reduce risks associated with lone working;
- ensure staff understand their responsibilities;
- provide guidance on responding to incidents and emergencies;
- comply with health and safety obligations;
- support safe and effective care delivery.
3. Scope
This policy applies to:
- care workers;
- support workers;
- senior carers;
- managers;
- office staff undertaking visits;
- agency workers;
- contractors;
- any employee working alone on behalf of VCare.
Lone working may include:
- domiciliary care visits;
- community visits;
- travelling between service users;
- office working outside normal hours;
- attending meetings alone;
- visiting unfamiliar environments;
- working remotely.
4. Legal and Regulatory Framework
This policy is informed by:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Care Act 2014
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
- CQC Fundamental Standards
- Working Time Regulations 1998
- Human Rights Act 1998
5. Definition of Lone Working
A lone worker is any employee who works by themselves without close or direct supervision.
In domiciliary care services, this commonly includes care staff providing support in service users’ homes independently.
Lone working does not necessarily mean a person is physically alone at all times; however, assistance may not be immediately available if difficulties arise.
6. Organisational Commitment
VCare is committed to:
- identifying risks associated with lone working;
- implementing suitable control measures;
- providing staff with appropriate information and training;
- ensuring communication systems are effective;
- promoting staff wellbeing and safety;
- investigating incidents appropriately;
- supporting staff who experience abuse or distress.
7. Risk Assessment
VCare will undertake suitable and sufficient risk assessments relating to lone working activities.
Risk assessments may consider:
- service user behaviours;
- safeguarding concerns;
- history of aggression or violence;
- environmental hazards;
- manual handling risks;
- medication risks;
- location risks;
- travelling arrangements;
- out-of-hours working;
- infection control risks;
- staff experience and competency.
Risk assessments will be reviewed regularly and whenever circumstances change.
8. Responsibilities
Directors and Registered Manager
Responsible for:
- ensuring safe systems of work;
- conducting and reviewing risk assessments;
- implementing control measures;
- ensuring staff training and supervision;
- monitoring incidents and trends;
- supporting affected employees.
Coordinators and Supervisors
Responsible for:
- allocating visits safely;
- sharing relevant risk information;
- monitoring staff welfare;
- maintaining communication arrangements;
- escalating concerns appropriately.
Employees
Employees are responsible for:
- following safe working procedures;
- reporting hazards and concerns;
- maintaining communication;
- attending required training;
- reporting incidents promptly;
- using equipment safely;
- following risk assessments and care plans.
9. Lone Working Procedures
9.1 Staff Scheduling and Visit Allocation
VCare will seek to ensure:
- visits are planned appropriately;
- staff are allocated geographically where possible;
- high-risk visits are identified;
- sufficient travel time is allowed;
- staff competency matches service user needs.
9.2 Communication Arrangements
Lone workers must:
- carry a charged mobile phone where possible;
- maintain contact with the office where required;
- report concerns promptly;
- notify management of delays or incidents.
The office will maintain staff schedules and contact arrangements.
9.3 Home Visits
Before attending visits, staff should:
- review care plans and risk assessments;
- be aware of known risks;
- understand emergency arrangements;
- identify any safeguarding concerns.
During visits, staff should:
- remain aware of surroundings;
- maintain professional boundaries;
- avoid unnecessary personal disclosure;
- leave immediately if personal safety is threatened.
9.4 High-Risk Situations
Where significant risks are identified, VCare may implement additional control measures including:
- joint visits;
- enhanced risk assessments;
- supervisory support;
- revised care arrangements;
- involvement of safeguarding authorities;
- police involvement where necessary.
10. Violence, Aggression and Abuse
VCare operates a zero-tolerance policy towards:
- physical violence;
- verbal abuse;
- threats;
- harassment;
- intimidation;
- discrimination.
Employees must report all incidents of abuse or aggression immediately.
Where staff safety is compromised, VCare reserves the right to:
- withdraw staff;
- suspend services temporarily;
- review care arrangements;
- involve safeguarding teams or police.
11. Emergency Procedures
In emergencies, staff should:
- prioritise personal safety;
- contact emergency services where necessary;
- leave unsafe environments immediately;
- notify management as soon as possible.
Emergency incidents include:
- violence or threats;
- medical emergencies;
- safeguarding concerns;
- accidents;
- environmental hazards.
12. Incident Reporting
All incidents, accidents, near misses and safety concerns must be reported in accordance with VCare procedures.
This includes:
- aggression;
- unsafe environments;
- safeguarding concerns;
- injuries;
- medication incidents;
- threats or intimidation.
Incidents will be investigated appropriately and learning identified.
13. Safeguarding
Lone workers may identify safeguarding concerns during visits.
All safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
This includes concerns relating to:
- abuse;
- neglect;
- self-neglect;
- exploitation;
- domestic abuse;
- unsafe living conditions.
14. Training and Support
VCare will provide training and awareness relating to:
- lone worker safety;
- conflict resolution;
- safeguarding;
- moving and handling;
- infection prevention and control;
- emergency procedures;
- incident reporting.
Staff will also receive:
- supervision;
- support;
- debriefing following incidents where appropriate.
15. Staff Wellbeing
VCare recognises that lone working can affect emotional wellbeing.
The organisation aims to:
- promote supportive management;
- encourage open communication;
- provide supervision opportunities;
- support staff following difficult incidents;
- reduce avoidable workplace stress.
16. Monitoring and Review
VCare will monitor:
- incidents and trends;
- staff feedback;
- safeguarding concerns;
- risk assessments;
- training compliance;
- effectiveness of control measures.
Learning outcomes will be used to improve staff safety arrangements.
17. Related Policies
This policy should be read alongside:
- Health and Safety Policy
- Safeguarding Policy
- Incident Reporting Policy
- Equality and Diversity Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Manual Handling Policy
- Infection Control Policy
- Stress and Wellbeing Policy
18. Review
This policy will be reviewed:
- annually;
- following serious incidents;
- following legislative or regulatory updates;
- following safeguarding concerns;
- following changes to operational activities.
19. Declaration
VCare Consultancy Services Limited is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and wellbeing of all lone workers and will continue to implement safe systems of work that support staff working independently within the community.