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Lone Worker – Home Visit Checklist

  • All lone worker personal contact details should be easily accessible to those responsible for managing the lone worker communication systems
  • Lone worker communication systems include; a buddy system, managing all visits on a wipe board a suitable computer software program or an external managed communications system
  • Keep photographs of all lone workers and (if they use their own vehicle) an up to date photograph of their car
  • Check risk assessments or obtain any relevant information available from a referring organisation
  • Notify office of the service users name, address, phone number, time of visit, and reason for the visit
  • If appropriate notify the service user that you are coming and the purpose of the visit/meeting
  • Obtain specific directions
  • Use a satellite navigation unit/phone app. Have a spare map in your car
  • Make sure you have a phone charger in your car
  • If during the course of your work you travel long distances register with a breakdown recovery service
  • Learn to change a flat tyre on your car (recently manufactured cars may have a small spare wheel or an aerosol canister to inject the tyre with foam. Make your self familiar with regard to your car
  • Know the office procedure if you do not call in – code words etc.
  • If possible try to conduct home visit in pairs
  • Wear clothes and shoes that provide freedom of movement
  • Wear appropriate clothing (ladies avoid wearing revealing blouses)
  • Don’t wear expensive jewelry
  • Have possession of a personal attack alarm and understand how to effectively use it in a public place. Activate the personal attack alarm and throw it to the ground close by. An attacker with panic and try to stop the sound attracting the attention of possible onlookers by crushing it with their foot.
  • When carrying out lone visits in service users home, a personal attack alarm will not have the desired effect as there are no onlookers. Carry a cheap deodorant or hair aerosol in your handbag.If your safety is compromised, spray the item in to the face of a potential attacker. While they are momentarily rubbing their eyes, make good your escape.


Travelling to the service users home

  • When driving, keep handbags and other valuables out of sight. Keep items in the front passenger foot well, behind the drivers seat or better still, in the boot
  • Keep car in good working order with at least ½ tank of fuel
  • Drive with doors locked
  • Park in well-lit visible areas and lock the car doors (do not park in the driveway or directly in front of the service user’s home)
  • Do not slam car doors
  • Do not walk on lawns


During the Visit:

 

  • Carry as little as possible in to the service users home
  • Observe the premises for suspicious activity; listen for arguments etc.
  • Trust your instincts, if you feel unsafe at anytime, leave!
  • Call office before entering home
  • Knock or use the doorbell
  • Have a brief conversation at the door step – assess the service users emotional state. If you feel that it is not safe to enter the property make an excuse and leave
  • Check if the meeting is still appropriate
  • Do not enter if they are covered in a towel after having a shower, leave and wait in the car
  • When entering give eyes a chance to adjust to light
  • Visually check if any other persons are present. If it is not possible to discuss issues with the service user with others present, make an excuse and leave
  • Avoid sitting in the kitchen (many possible weapons; boiling water, knives etc.)
  • Always wait to be invited to sit
  • Sit in hard backed chair (easier to rise from this type of chair in a hurry)
  • Be aware of all possible exits in the property
  • If there are dogs in the house, ask the client to remove them. Under the new The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Part 7 Dangerous Dogs – Keeping dogs under proper control, dog owners have a responsibility to ensure that they keep their dogs under control not only in a public place, but also in their homes. 
  • Ask to turn the TV off, as “I” have trouble hearing
  • Restate the goal of the visit
  • Maintain a respectful and courteous attitude
  • Respect the individual’s personal space (maintain an appropriate distance)
  • Keep a clear path to the door
  • Avoid positioning self so that you become trapped if needed to make quick exit
  • If situation escalates, leave!
  • Avoid giving out personal information, such as your address or phone number
  • Visually check the surrounding area or parking area when leaving
  • Always carry your car keys to and from the property, as a last resort these can be used as a weapon
  • If you are being followed, do not drive home; drive to nearest police station and sound the horn or drive to open petrol station or business where you can safely call the police
  • Do not leave the car unless you can walk into the building safely