Lone Working Policy - Revision history

Seymour Jacklin: Updated the review date to correspond to the approval date for the combined policy from which this was extracted.

2026-03-24T11:12:09Z

Updated the review date to correspond to the approval date for the combined policy from which this was extracted.

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:12, 24 March 2026
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	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Last review and approval'''		\|'''Last review and approval'''
	\|25/06/2025		\|29/09/2025
	\|}		\|}

Seymour Jacklin: /* Avoiding lone working */ updated with agreed wording following review by HRSG

2026-02-27T10:37:16Z

Avoiding lone working: updated with agreed wording following review by HRSG

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:37, 27 February 2026
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	Report and record if you feel that a risk has changed (for example if you notice a trainee is drinking more heavily than usual or you are aware that they have made verbal threats).		Report and record if you feel that a risk has changed (for example if you notice a trainee is drinking more heavily than usual or you are aware that they have made verbal threats).

	=== ~~Avoiding lone working~~ ===		=== One-to-one contacts including home visits ===
	The ~~best way to make sure you avoid~~ the risks associated with lone working is not to do it.		The first line of defence against the risks associated with lone working is not to do it. This is one of the reasons why, in many Handcrafted working contexts, you will be working alongside another member of staff. However, home visits are often carried out by single workers and can be a time of heightened risk as well as other occasions when you may need to be by yourself with a resident or trainee (e.g. giving a lift to an appointment).

	If you feel uncomfortable about a potential lone-working situation, don't do it. This is a personal decision. Just because someone else would do, this does not mean you have to. If you are in doubt, speak to your supervisor or seek the support of colleagues. Use your judgement and take responsibility for feeling safe.		Particular care must be taken in certain situations:

	Particular care must be taken in certain situations:

	* If you are likely to be alone with a vulnerable adult or a minor of the opposite sex		* If you are likely to be alone with a vulnerable adult or a minor of the opposite sex
	* If you are likely to be alone with an individual who has a history of assault or sexual offences		* If you are likely to be alone with an individual who has a history of assault or sexual offences
	* If in doubt, take someone with you.
	* Where possible, meet in a public setting rather than in private.

	''Certain individuals are designated in their client record under “Safeguarding” as M (potential risk to minors), NFL (no female lone working), and NFL&M (No female lone working and potential risk to minors). Make sure you know if this is the case by checking their record.''		'''''Certain individuals are designated in their client record under “Safeguarding” as M (potential risk to minors), NFL (no female lone working), and NFL&M (No female lone working and potential risk to minors). Make sure you know if this is the case by checking their record.'''''

			Do not proceed with lone working where a dynamic risk assessment identifies a risk of harm that cannot be reduced to an acceptable level using agreed controls. For instance, you are not expected to enter a property if the resident is under the influence of drugs or alcohol or is threatening violence. However, feeling uneasy or finding an aspect of work unpleasant is not, by itself, a reason to cancel.

			When risk is uncertain or elevated: (1) apply control measures, (2) seek advice or support from a supervisor/colleague, and (3) if needed, convert the activity to a paired visit or alternative arrangement such as meeting in a public setting. Make sure your decisions and control measures are recorded.

	=== ~~Home~~ visits ===		=== Planning and safety on home visits ===
	~~You may be particularly vulnerable when visiting Handcrafted properties by yourself.~~

	* ~~Don~~'~~t enter~~ a ~~property if the resident is under the influence of drugs or alcohol or is threatening violence.~~		* It's a good idea to use an agreed code word if you get into difficulties and need to alert colleagues by phone without alarming someone you are with.
	* Use an agreed code word if you get into difficulties and need to alert colleagues by phone without alarming someone you are with.		* Avoid entering a property alone without the resident present unless this is definitely necessary to carry out your duties.
	* Avoid entering a property alone without the resident present unless this is ~~absolutely~~ necessary.		* Stick to a time limit for a visit and make this explicit to the person you are visiting (e.g., say "I have just an hour, and then I will need to leave.")
	* Stick to a time limit for a visit and make this explicit to the person you are visiting (e.g. say "I have just an hour, and then I will need to leave.")
	* If you're visiting a Handcrafted property, make sure you have a key to the property.		* If you're visiting a Handcrafted property, make sure you have a key to the property.

	There is no system suggested in this policy for getting people to check in or calling them after, say, half an hour because if you're going into a situation where you might need to be called in half an hour, you shouldn't be going alone.		There is no system suggested in this policy for getting people to check in or calling them after, say, half an hour, because if you're going into a situation where you might need to be called in half an hour, you shouldn't be going alone.

			If you are in doubt, speak to your supervisor or seek the support of colleagues. Use your judgement and take responsibility for feeling safe.

	=== Giving lifts ===		=== Giving lifts ===

Seymour Jacklin: /* The Risks */ clarification of lone working risk assessments

2025-09-23T10:55:55Z

The Risks: clarification of lone working risk assessments

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:55, 23 September 2025
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	* risk of wrongful allegations being made by members of the public, trainees and residents		* risk of wrongful allegations being made by members of the public, trainees and residents
	* risk of personal injury while moving loads and using tools		* risk of personal injury while moving loads and using tools

			== Lone Working Risk Assessments ==
			Before working by yourself with a resident, you must familiarise yourself with the contents of their Safety Plan on AirTable. At the top of the Safety Plan, any known risks to lone workers will be outlined along with management measures. You must also check the "Safeguarding" indicator on their record, which will tell you if there is "No Lone Working", "No Female Lone Working (NFL)" or "No Male Loneworking (NML)".

			We have a collective responsibility for keeping the Safety Plans up to date with any changes to an individual's risk to lone workers, so make sure you are also communicating with the hub team about any emerging issues.

	== Managing Risk ==		== Managing Risk ==

Rebekah Hook at 09:29, 13 August 2025

2025-08-13T09:29:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:29, 13 August 2025
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	\|'''Last review and approval'''		\|'''Last review and approval'''
	\|26/04/~~2024~~		\|25/06/2025
	\|}		\|}

Seymour Jacklin at 11:12, 11 March 2025

2025-03-11T11:12:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:12, 11 March 2025
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			At Handcrafted, we recognise that some staff and volunteers may be required to work alone as part of their roles. We are committed to ensuring their safety and well-being by identifying potential risks and implementing appropriate measures to reduce them.

			This policy outlines the procedures for managing lone working, including risk assessment, communication protocols, and support measures.

			This policy will be reviewed as required and at least annually by the group or individual responsible for review and authorised by the Trustees as below:

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	~~\| colspan="3" \|Handcrafted Lone Working Policy~~		!Group or individual responsible for review
	\|		![[The Human Resources and Wellbeing Steering Group\|'''The Human Resources and Wellbeing Steering Group''']]
	\|-
	\|
	\|
	\|
	\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|~~Changes~~		\|'''Last review and approval'''
	\|~~Date~~		\|26/04/2024
	~~\|By~~
	~~\|Notes~~
	\|-
	~~\|Created:~~
	~~\|25/06/2018~~
	~~\|S. Jacklin~~
	\|
	\|-
	~~\|Updated:~~
	~~\|31~~/08/~~2020~~
	~~\|S. Jacklin~~
	~~\|Updates mentioning the safeguarding alert system on client records.~~
	\|-
	\|
	\|
	\|
	\|
	\|}		\|}
	~~Handcrafted Lone Working Policy~~

	= What is lone working? =		== What is lone working? ==
	As an employee of Handcrafted, there may be times when you are required to work away from your base, without the direct supervision and support of your colleagues. You may be working outside of normal hours, doing a home visit at one of our properties or supervising a renovation.		As an employee of Handcrafted, there may be times when you are required to work away from your base, without the direct supervision and support of your colleagues. You may be working outside of normal hours, doing a home visit at one of our properties or supervising a renovation.

	Lone working can present a variety of risks from accidental injury to a risk of harm from violence. This policy outlines how we manage that risk at Handcrafted		Lone working can present a variety of risks from accidental injury to a risk of harm from violence. This policy outlines how we manage that risk at Handcrafted

	= Who is responsible? =		=== Who is responsible? ===
	As an employer, Handcrafted is required by law to protect the health and safety of lone workers. We must provide adequate training, support, and equipment to enable you to do your job safely. However, as a lone worker, you also have a responsibility to:		As an employer, Handcrafted is required by law to protect the health and safety of lone workers. We must provide adequate training, support, and equipment to enable you to do your job safely. However, as a lone worker, you also have a responsibility to:

	Take reasonable care to look after your own safety and health		* Take reasonable care to look after your own safety and health
			* Safeguard the safety and health of other people affected by your work
	Safeguard the safety and health of other people affected by your work		* Follow Handcrafted safety and health procedures
			* Use equipment in accordance with any relevant safety instructions and training you have been given
	Follow Handcrafted safety and health procedures		* Report all accidents, injuries, near-misses and other dangerous occurrences

	Use equipment in accordance with any relevant safety instructions and training you have been given

	Report all accidents, injuries, near-misses and other dangerous occurrences

	= The Risks =		== The Risks ==
	Before working alone, you should assess the risks and take steps to minimise them. This policy identifies the following risks associated with the kind of work we do at Handcrafted.		Before working alone, you should assess the risks and take steps to minimise them. This policy identifies the following risks associated with the kind of work we do at Handcrafted.

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	* risk of personal injury while moving loads and using tools		* risk of personal injury while moving loads and using tools

	= Managing Risk =		== Managing Risk ==

	== General principles ==		=== General principles ===
	If at any time you are working alone, make sure:		If at any time you are working alone, make sure:

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	Report and record if you feel that a risk has changed (for example if you notice a trainee is drinking more heavily than usual or you are aware that they have made verbal threats).		Report and record if you feel that a risk has changed (for example if you notice a trainee is drinking more heavily than usual or you are aware that they have made verbal threats).

	== Avoiding lone working ==		=== Avoiding lone working ===
	The best way to make sure you avoid the risks associated with lone working is not to do it.		The best way to make sure you avoid the risks associated with lone working is not to do it.

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	* Where possible, meet in a public setting rather than in private.		* Where possible, meet in a public setting rather than in private.

	''Certain individuals are designated in their client record under “Safeguarding” as M (potential risk to minors), NFL (no female lone working), and NFL&M (No female lone working and potential risk to minors). Make sure you know if this is the case by checking their record.''		''Certain individuals are designated in their client record under “Safeguarding” as M (potential risk to minors), NFL (no female lone working), and NFL&M (No female lone working and potential risk to minors). Make sure you know if this is the case by checking their record.''

	== Home visits ==		=== Home visits ===
	You may be particularly vulnerable when visiting Handcrafted properties by yourself.		You may be particularly vulnerable when visiting Handcrafted properties by yourself.

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	There is no system suggested in this policy for getting people to check in or calling them after, say, half an hour because if you're going into a situation where you might need to be called in half an hour, you shouldn't be going alone.		There is no system suggested in this policy for getting people to check in or calling them after, say, half an hour because if you're going into a situation where you might need to be called in half an hour, you shouldn't be going alone.

	== Giving lifts ==		=== Giving lifts ===
	Don't give a lift by yourself to a person identified as higher risk.		Don't give a lift by yourself to a person identified as higher risk.

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	Avoid taking a person in your car who is not known to Handcrafted (i.e. if we have no referrers risk assessment for them or have not had the opportunity to assess and record any risks.)		Avoid taking a person in your car who is not known to Handcrafted (i.e. if we have no referrers risk assessment for them or have not had the opportunity to assess and record any risks.)

	== Supervising trainees ==		=== Supervising trainees ===
	If you are supervising trainees by yourself (in the workshop, out on renovations or in other training settings), you must have a current certification in basic first aid.		If you are supervising trainees by yourself (in the workshop, out on renovations or in other training settings), you must have a current certification in basic first aid.

	== Physical work ==		=== Physical work ===
	Handcrafted employees work with construction materials, tools and machinery, including off-site and alone. Some tasks may be too difficult or dangerous for you to do by yourself.		Handcrafted employees work with construction materials, tools and machinery, including off-site and alone. Some tasks may be too difficult or dangerous for you to do by yourself.

Seymour Jacklin: Created page with "{| class="wikitable" | colspan="3" |Handcrafted Lone Working Policy | |- | | | | |- |Changes |Date |By |Notes |- |Created: |25/06/2018 |S. Jacklin | |- |Updated: |31/08/2020 |S. Jacklin |Updates mentioning the safeguarding alert system on client records. |- | | | | |} Handcrafted Lone Working Policy = What is lone working? = As an employee of Handcrafted, there may be times when you are required to work away from your base, without the direct supervision and support of..."

2025-02-11T09:18:50Z

Created page with "{| class="wikitable" | colspan="3" |Handcrafted Lone Working Policy | |- | | | | |- |Changes |Date |By |Notes |- |Created: |25/06/2018 |S. Jacklin | |- |Updated: |31/08/2020 |S. Jacklin |Updates mentioning the safeguarding alert system on client records. |- | | | | |} Handcrafted Lone Working Policy = What is lone working? = As an employee of Handcrafted, there may be times when you are required to work away from your base, without the direct supervision and support of..."

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|Date
|By
|Notes
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|Created:
|25/06/2018
|S. Jacklin
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|Updated:
|31/08/2020
|S. Jacklin
|Updates mentioning the safeguarding alert system on client records.
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Handcrafted Lone Working Policy

= What is lone working? =
As an employee of Handcrafted, there may be times when you are required to work away from your base, without the direct supervision and support of your colleagues. You may be working outside of normal hours, doing a home visit at one of our properties or supervising a renovation.

Lone working can present a variety of risks from accidental injury to a risk of harm from violence. This policy outlines how we manage that risk at Handcrafted

= Who is responsible? =
As an employer, Handcrafted is required by law to protect the health and safety of lone workers. We must provide adequate training, support, and equipment to enable you to do your job safely. However, as a lone worker, you also have a responsibility to:

Take reasonable care to look after your own safety and health

Safeguard the safety and health of other people affected by your work

Follow Handcrafted safety and health procedures

Use equipment in accordance with any relevant safety instructions and training you have been given

Report all accidents, injuries, near-misses and other dangerous occurrences

= The Risks =
Before working alone, you should assess the risks and take steps to minimise them. This policy identifies the following risks associated with the kind of work we do at Handcrafted.

* risk of threat, intimidation or violence from members of the public, trainees and residents
* risk of wrongful allegations being made by members of the public, trainees and residents
* risk of personal injury while moving loads and using tools

= Managing Risk =

== General principles ==
If at any time you are working alone, make sure:

* You have a working mobile phone with sufficient charge on the battery
* Your phone is switched on
* Your supervisor (or colleagues if they are unavailable) know where you are going and for how long you are likely to be working alone

Inform your supervisor if you have a medical condition or there are any circumstances that make you more vulnerable when working alone (e.g. if you are pregnant or taking medication that makes you drowsy).

Sign out from your base when if you leave, and sign back in when you return. Let your supervisor know when you have returned.

Report and record if you feel that a risk has changed (for example if you notice a trainee is drinking more heavily than usual or you are aware that they have made verbal threats).

== Avoiding lone working ==
The best way to make sure you avoid the risks associated with lone working is not to do it.

If you feel uncomfortable about a potential lone-working situation, don't do it. This is a personal decision. Just because someone else would do, this does not mean you have to. If you are in doubt, speak to your supervisor or seek the support of colleagues. Use your judgement and take responsibility for feeling safe.

Particular care must be taken in certain situations:

* If you are likely to be alone with a vulnerable adult or a minor of the opposite sex
* If you are likely to be alone with an individual who has a history of assault or sexual offences
* If in doubt, take someone with you.
* Where possible, meet in a public setting rather than in private.

''Certain individuals are designated in their client record under “Safeguarding” as M (potential risk to minors), NFL (no female lone working), and NFL&M (No female lone working and potential risk to minors). Make sure you know if this is the case by checking their record.''

== Home visits ==
You may be particularly vulnerable when visiting Handcrafted properties by yourself.

* Don't enter a property if the resident is under the influence of drugs or alcohol or is threatening violence.
* Use an agreed code word if you get into difficulties and need to alert colleagues by phone without alarming someone you are with.
* Avoid entering a property alone without the resident present unless this is absolutely necessary.
* Stick to a time limit for a visit and make this explicit to the person you are visiting (e.g. say "I have just an hour, and then I will need to leave.")
* If you're visiting a Handcrafted property, make sure you have a key to the property.

There is no system suggested in this policy for getting people to check in or calling them after, say, half an hour because if you're going into a situation where you might need to be called in half an hour, you shouldn't be going alone.

== Giving lifts ==
Don't give a lift by yourself to a person identified as higher risk.

If you are doing multiple pickups or dropoffs make sure you do them in an order that means you will not end up with a higher risk person travelling with you alone

Avoid taking a person in your car who is not known to Handcrafted (i.e. if we have no referrers risk assessment for them or have not had the opportunity to assess and record any risks.)

== Supervising trainees ==
If you are supervising trainees by yourself (in the workshop, out on renovations or in other training settings), you must have a current certification in basic first aid.

== Physical work ==
Handcrafted employees work with construction materials, tools and machinery, including off-site and alone. Some tasks may be too difficult or dangerous for you to do by yourself.

* Make sure you use appropriate personal protective equipment for the task you are doing. If it is not available, inform your line manager and do not put yourself at risk of injury.
* Follow correct manual handling procedures according to the training provided by Handcrafted.
* Don't move loads or operate machinery without the proper training.
* Lone workers must have access to a first aid kit at all times