{"id":1875,"date":"2026-02-18T09:38:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T09:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/?page_id=1875"},"modified":"2026-02-18T09:50:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T09:50:55","slug":"lone-worker-and-home-visit-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/lone-worker-and-home-visit-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Lone Worker and Home Visit Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t

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Lone Worker and Home Visit Policy\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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SPM Development Services Limited\nAssessment Policy\nMay 2025<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReviewed and Updated: September 2025\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNext Review: September 2026, or sooner if statutory guidance changes.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Policy Statement\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSPM Development Services Ltd takes the health, safety and safeguarding of its employees,\ntutors and mentors seriously. We have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare\nof our staff while at work. This includes when working alone in pupils\u2019 homes or in other\nsettings outside of school. This policy forms part of SPM\u2019s wider safeguarding framework\nand aligns with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (2025). It ensures compliance\nwith commissioning authority expectations for EHCP and EOTAS learners.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Aim and Scope\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThis policy alerts employees and volunteers to the risks presented by lone working,\nidentifies responsibilities, and describes procedures to minimise risks. It gives tutors and\nmentors a clear framework for managing potentially risky situations.\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Legal Framework\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnder the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a duty to safeguard the\nhealth and safety of employees. This duty applies whether working at SPM premises, in\npupils\u2019 homes, or in public places. The Management of Health and Safety at Work\nRegulations 1999 require employers to assess health and safety risks and take preventative\nmeasures. The main risks associated with home visiting are violence, intimidation, or\nisolation.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Lone Workers\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. SPM\nDevelopment Services Ltd has responsibility for assessing risks to lone workers and putting\nin place measures to avoid or control those risks. There is no general prohibition on\nworking alone, but risk assessments and safeguards must always be in place.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Responsibilities\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTutors and mentors are responsible for:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRisk assessing activities before tutoring, mentoring or support work off-site.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnsuring their own safety and the safety of the pupil at all times.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUsing control measures such as check-in\/out systems, phones, alarms and safe working practices.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRecording and sharing significant findings of risk assessments.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReporting concerns, incidents or near misses immediately to the DSL. SPM is responsible for:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProviding training on lone working as part of induction and ongoing safeguarding updates.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProviding tutors with relevant information about pupils, including any medical needs or risks, and known risks associated with parents\/carers.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupporting staff who feel unsafe or leave a visit for safety reasons.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Lone Worker Guidance\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe following guidance must be followed when working alone or visiting homes:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAll identified risks must be shared with staff and mitigated before visits take place.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTutors\/mentors must be given all relevant information about pupils and families.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClient\/student details must be kept confidential and handled in line with UK GDPR.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConfirm appointments by phone and agree times clearly with parents\/carers.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInform SPM of any changes to visit times or arrangements.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlways tell a colleague where you are going and when you are expected back.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAssess the location on arrival and leave immediately if you feel unsafe.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo not give lifts to pupils or family members.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOnly teach in the location agreed in advance and recorded on the risk assessment.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlways carry a mobile phone; personal alarms may also be used.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFollow safe travel practices (well-lit parking, keys accessible, avoiding isolated areas).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPets such as dogs must be secured in another room or outside.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNever work with a pupil if no responsible adult is present in the home.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf another person in the home makes you feel uncomfortable, ask them to leave or end the session.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Do not become involved in family disputes.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t If at any point you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, make an excuse and leave immediately \u2013 SPM will always support this decision.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReport all incidents, including near misses, immediately to the DSL and record them appropriately.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Reporting and Escalation\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAll safeguarding concerns, incidents, or near misses during lone working or home visits\nmust be:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReported immediately to the DSL (Simon Piper-Masha).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRecorded factually on the safeguarding reporting form.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEscalated to the commissioning local authority where required.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Policy Review\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThis policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if statutory guidance or commissioning\nauthority requirements change.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lone Worker and Home Visit Policy SPM Development Services Limited Assessment Policy May 2025 Reviewed and Updated: September 2025 Next Review: September 2026, or sooner if [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1875","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1875"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1881,"href":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1875\/revisions\/1881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crawlergroups.com\/spm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}