Lone Worker Policy
Before the team leader was in post we had a lone worker policy for Health and Social Services in four different files. Since our team leader manager joined us in January this year, she has just implemented a new file for both services. As we are integrated as one service, she thought it would be a better to record everything in two files, so that it is easier for the admin staff to look in, instead of four different files as this seemed to cause some slight confusion. At the beginning of April 2015, there are now two files that are kept in the admin office. The first file which is blue is the signing in sheet with every members name on it in alphabetical order. When staff members arrive at the office they sign in the time that they have arrived and when they sign out the time when leaving the building. This helps to know what staff are in that day and helps if there is a fire in the building, so that admin can quickly check who are in the building and know who to look for or to inform the fire brigade who is missing. The green file that is also kept in the admin office to record every team member’s home visits or meetings that they attend for the morning and afternoon. The name, address and postcode of the patient is placed in this file, with the times of the visits that staff are there and also recorded is the time that they are due to finish at the patient’s home. After every home visit, staff are to ring into the office to let the admin know that they are safe. The green file is checked very regular and if a member of staff has not rang in, the admin staff will then contact them to see if they are safe and then ring the patient back to let them know the situation. This file is also very helpful if a patient contacts the service if a therapist has not turned up and can check who is supposed to be visiting. If a staff member has not contacted the office after a visit, admin will check if they are safe and if they are concerned will inform the team leader and the police if they think that a staff member is in difficulty. I have a lone worker reliance device as well, which I use on every visit, before I enter the patient’s home; I activate the amber alert with the address and postcode of the patient that I am visiting. This information is