Lone Working Policy

Thrive Leicester Lone Working Policy

(Reviewed and updated in April 2026 – next review due in April 2027)

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Introduction

Thrive Leicester takes the health and safety of its volunteers, representatives and beneficiaries (all who attend our groups and use our services) seriously. We have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all our volunteers, representatives and beneficiaries while carrying out volunteer activity. There will be times when approved volunteers carry out Thrive volunteer activities alone or without immediate supervision, so this policy is in place to ensure this is undertaken safely and appropriately. 

Related Thrive Policies and Procedures (see also):

• Health and Safety policy
• Safeguarding policy
• Code of Conduct
• Guidelines for Home Visits

Related Legislation 

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 

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Context 

Thrive Leicester has a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all our volunteers, representatives and beneficiaries while engaged in Thrive activities. At any given time, volunteers or representatives may be alone, or alone with Thrive beneficiaries, either in our hired premises or when operating on Thrive’s behalf externally (e.g. home visits or outdoor meetups/trips). We are responsible for assessing the risks to lone workers and taking steps to avoid or mitigate those where necessary. Thrive volunteers and representatives have responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves and others in lone working situations. 

Lone working is not inherently unsafe. Taking appropriate precautions can reduce the risks associated with working alone or without immediate on-hand supervision. This policy is designed for volunteers who either frequently or occasionally volunteer alone. It also refers to both high and low risk activities. This policy is designed to alert Thrive volunteers and representatives to the risks presented by lone working, to identify the responsibilities each person has in this situation, and to describe procedures which will minimise such risks. It is designed to give volunteers a framework for managing potentially risky situations. It is intended that this policy be followed alongside our Safeguarding policy, Health and Safety policy, Code of Conduct and Guidelines for Home Visits, and should not contradict any of these.

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Definition 

Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. For example, within Thrive:

• Volunteers visiting Thrive beneficiaries in a hotel, flat or house
• Volunteers meeting with Thrive beneficiaries in another location, such as a cafe, park or another public place
• Volunteers engaging in Thrive activities outside ‘normal’ hours 
• Volunteers engaging in any Thrive activities away from a fixed base, without other volunteers or the Thrive Coordinator 
• Volunteers engaging in Thrive activities from their home.

The definition covers Thrive volunteers and representatives in situations with varying degrees and types of risk. It is important to identify the hazards of the work and assess the risks involved before applying appropriate measures. 

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Potential Hazards of Working Alone 

People who volunteer alone will of course face the same risks in their work as others doing similar tasks. However, they may also encounter the following: 

• Accidents or sudden illnesses may occur when there is no-one to call for help or first aid available 
• Fire 
• Violence or the threat of violence 
• Lack of safe way in or out of a building, for example, danger of being accidentally locked in 
• Attempting tasks which cannot safely be done by one person alone 

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Measures to reduce risks

To reduce the risk for people working alone we carry out risk assessments for each of Thrive’s activities – these are sometimes verbal and sometimes recorded in writing, on paper or electronically. These risk assessments should address the following issues, as appropriate to the circumstances: 

• The environment – location, security, access. 
• The context – nature of the task, any special circumstances. 
• The individuals concerned – indicators of potential or actual risk. 
• History – any previous incidents in similar situations. 
• Any other special circumstances. 

All available information should be considered and risk assessments should be updated as necessary. Where there is any reasonable doubt about the safety of a lone worker in a given situation, it may be sensible and appropriate to send a second worker or make other arrangements to complete the task. 

In any situation where a volunteer is operating alone and feels unsafe, they must remove themselves from that situation immediately and report the incident to the Thrive Coordinator (Kat Gibson). 

In any situation where a volunteer is operating alone and an incident occurs, this must be reported to the Thrive Coordinator as soon as possible. An incident is any situation where the health and safety of the volunteer, a beneficiary or a third party is compromised and may include an accident, fire, violence or threat of violence (this is not exhaustive).

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Supervision 

Lone workers are by definition not under constant supervision. We ensure that volunteers understand the risks associated with their work and the relevant safety precautions. 

• Volunteers will be given guidance or training regarding lone working where appropriate 
• Volunteers new to a role where they may be lone working may need to be accompanied initially 
• Regular contact by phone may be appropriate, and we encourage all volunteers carrying out duties alone to have their mobile phone available at all times to enable them to contact the Thrive Coordinator in the event of an emergency, or emergency services where appropriate.

As per our Guidelines for Home Visits, volunteers should check in with a trusted person before and after each visit for security purposes. This could be the Thrive Coordinator, the volunteer’s Pastoral Supervisor, another volunteer, or another trusted individual. The Thrive Coordinator should also keep a log of all home visits and volunteer meetups with beneficiaries, for safety and monitoring purposes. It is recommended that each volunteer has a debrief conversation after each home visit or any period of lone working that involves interaction with Thrive beneficiaries – again this can be a debrief with the Thrive Coordinator or another trusted person (as above), and it can be over the phone, by message or in person. 

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Accidents and Emergencies 

Thrive volunteers operating alone should be made aware of the process for responding appropriately to emergencies. (See also the Thrive Health and Safety policy and Safeguarding policy). Volunteers who are leading group activities alone are also responsible for adhering to security and fire regulations. 

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Conclusion 

Establishing safe working for lone workers is no different from organising the safety of other volunteers, but the relevant risk assessments must take account of any extra risk factors, as above. Thrive Leicester endeavours to ensure that measures are in place to reduce risk and that expectations have been communicated to volunteers operating alone, and appropriate guidance or training provided. All Thrive volunteers, including lone workers, are responsible for following safe systems of work and should take steps to reduce the risks associated with carrying out their normal duties.

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Authorised by Thrive Coordinator, Kat Gibson

Last reviewed & updated: April 2026

Next review due: April 2027