Lone Working

Depending on the complexities of a young person will determine whether lone working is acceptable and safe. No member of staff will work in an isolated one to one situation with a child until they have:

• Demonstrated competency and skill to an acceptable standard;
• Or received relevant training;
• Or validated by a Manager as having sufficient prior training/experience.

No member of staff will be asked or expected to work with a child in a one to one situation, unless such a method of working has been confirmed as appropriate and manageable as a result of a risk assessment carried out in relation to the child. The assessment of the risk presented to lone workers must also be subject of regular reviews.

Controlling the risks associated with lone working will also include the relevant training, information, instruction, supervision and possible protective equipment etc.

The risk assessment will have identified the safe working measures, controls, training and supervision requirements to ensure the safety of staff and children.

All staff working with the child share responsibility for familiarising themselves with the contents of the risk assessment, any conditions attached, and any other relevant information contained on the child's file.

The manager must ensure that arrangements are made to carry out any steps considered necessary to manage any risks presented to staff.

Factors to consider:

• The knowledge of a medical condition the staff member may have;
• The time of day or night;
• Methods of communication;
• The location of the work and if travel is involved;
• The risk of violence to staff, verbal and physical;
• Is inexperienced staff at risk?
• Are there any gender issues such as female staff or new and expectant mothers being especially at risk?
• Has adequate training been received to ensure competency?

Where the risk assessment indicates that a member of staff is likely to be at risk in a given situation, the manager will ensure that a contingency plan is in place should the situation occur, for example by the provision of additional support staff.

If the member of staff has any concerns about the safety of themselves, the child or others, the member of staff must draw this to the immediate attention of the manager who will consider the need for an urgent review of the risk assessment. Any such concerns will be communicated as necessary to all members of the staff working with the child. For example during contact with parents, staff may feel threatened by the parent's behaviour. See Contact with Parents/Carers/Siblings and Others Procedure.

If the manager has any reason to consider, having regard to any incidents, reports, or events that a child presents a risk to staff, or that an individual member of staff is particularly at risk from a child or is particularly vulnerable working in a one to one situation, the manager must take immediate steps to review the deployment of staff. The manager will consider if further training is needed.

Young people with special needs may also present unpredictable behaviours in different circumstances, environments and social expectations. Young people who have a diagnosis of Autism may struggle with change and transition, therefore staff will be more astute to putting in measures to reduce an incident occurring at those particular times. Staff will out line the likelihood of unpredictable behaviours within the "Activity" and "Behaviour" risk assessments. These assessments will aim to identify the need for a higher ratio of staff supervision and support and other times it may be deemed that one to one working would be completely acceptable.

See also: Risk Assessments Procedure.