Lone Working

1. Local Lone Working Policy and Process

Any available local lone working policy and processes will set out the specific steps that you are required to take by the Local Authority:

To ensure your own safety;
To protect other Local Authority colleagues; and
To respond to any risk that may occur.

You should always refer to it alongside this guidance.

2. A Proactive Approach

It is your responsibility to take a proactive approach to risk assessment and your own personal safety. This involves:

Identify any existing risk assessments or warnings on the system; and
Anticipate any likely risks; and
Explore ways to manage likely risk; and
Decide the best way to manage the risk; before
Carrying out the function, task or process to which you have been allocated.

3. Internal Reablement

Where an internal reablement service is to be provided it is the responsibility of the person with CQC Registered Manager status to ensure that:

An assessment of risks to the worker is carried out; and
The appropriate risk assessment template is used to record risk; and
Measures to manage any risks to the worker are in place before reablement commences.

Where a risk assessment indicates that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used when carrying out specific tasks:

The Registered Manager must ensure this is available to workers; and
Individual workers must use it as instructed.

4. Completing a Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is name given to the combined processes of:

Identifying risk;
Identifying the likely impact of the risk (positive and negative); and
Identifying how to reduce the negative impact and maximise the positive.

Every situation is different, but the table below sets out some examples of risk that may be present, and the strategies that may be available to manage that risk.

Risk	Examples	Strategy
Environmental risk	Cross contamination Slips, trips and falls	Keep footwear on at all times Politely decline refreshments offered Wash hands after visit Roll back rugs Use Personal Protective Equipment
Risk from animals	Bites, stings and scratches	Arrange for the animal to be in another area of the home Arrange for someone to take the animal out during any visits Arrange for someone else to be present who can pacify the animal
Risks from the person or others	Verbal aggression Physical aggression Prevention from leaving	Make sure people know where you are and how long you will be-arrange a follow up if time exceeds this Visit with a colleague Sit near to the exit End the meeting if aggression appears likely Make sure any personal alarms you have are functioning and you know how/when to use them If risk is from others, arrange to meet the person without that person present
Risks from equipment	Injury when using manual handling equipment	Do not use faulty equipment Ensure adequate training Follow instructions and guidance Report maintenance concerns
Risk of allegation against you	Reports of abuse or exploitation	Visit with a colleague Keep accurate records of visits and conversations Record and report any issues or concerns immediately

You should always seek the support of your line manager when:

The best way to manage risk is unclear; or
The level of risk cannot be reduced.

5. Recording Risk

Lone working risk should be recorded in line with local requirements and processes.

The following information should always be clear:

The risks that have been identified;
The plan to manage risk; and
The rational for the decisions made.

6. Warning Markers

Where there is an on-going risk to other practitioners you must take steps to ensure that an appropriate warning marker system is used to alert them to the risk.

The need for an on-going warning marker should be reviewed:

Whenever a care and support, or other statutory function is being carried out; or
There is evidence that level of risk has changed; or
The risk management strategies are not effective; or
The risk management strategies are no longer required.