SENSE Learning - Lone Working Policy

1. About this policy

This policy is for associates: self-employed tutors, mentors and other professionals who deliver sessions to students through SENse Learning under a contract for services.

Lone working carries risks. SENse Learning has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to protect the health and safety of people affected by its work, including associates and the students they work with. The requirements in this policy arise from that duty and from our safeguarding responsibilities. They form part of your contract for services and do not create an employment or worker relationship.

Read this policy alongside the Home Visit Handbook, the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and the Driving for Work Policy.

2. Before your session

Before your first session, you must:

• complete SENse Learning's lone worker safety briefing and watch the lone worker webinar. This is a condition of being offered referrals; and

• give a friend or relative the Emergency Information Card (section 5).

Before every session, make sure:

• your car is safe to drive, and you follow the Driving for Work Policy;

• your phone is charged; and

• you are carrying your SENse Learning ID, so that families and schools can confirm who you are.

3. During your session

3.1 Staying safe

• Follow the lone worker advice from your safety briefing.

• If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe in a home or setting at any time, end the session immediately, leave, and report it to your case coordinator, a Pathway Lead or the Pathway Manager.

• Raise any concern about your safety at the earliest opportunity, with your case coordinator or head office.

• Follow the professional standards in your contract for services and the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

3.2 Fire

When you arrive for each session, find the nearest exits from the home or venue.

If a fire occurs, leave immediately with the student and call 999. In a community setting, follow the venue's fire evacuation procedures. Once the situation is under control, tell head office.

4. Emergency phrase and emergency line

4.1 The emergency phrase

If you are in danger and can call head office, use the emergency phrase:

"Please can you let my child's/grandchild's nursery know I will be late to pick them up?"

Everyone in head office knows this phrase. When it is used, they will alert the police that you are in an emergency and need immediate support, and a Director will be told and will manage the situation.

4.2 What to do in an emergency

If necessary call relevant emergency services. If you need to urgently speak to someone in Head Office then call the head office number, 01444 400896, and press the option for safeguarding which will put you through to a DSL during working hours.

If you are ever concerned about your safety, talk to your case coordinator or someone in head office.

5. Emergency information card

Give a copy of this card to a friend or relative, so they have someone to contact if you do not return from a session or they are worried about you.