The purpose of this policy:

• As a grassroots movement, which offers a welcome to asylum seekers and refugees, the aim of the Lone Working Policy is to enable people to volunteer, befriend and help with activities associated with the movement in a safe and appropriate way.
• The policy is to outline the personal responsibilities and expected standards of behaviour of volunteers.
• The policy is to offer support and guidelines to volunteers.

This policy should be read alongside our policies and procedures for:

• Code of conduct for volunteers, enablers and helpers.
• Induction and training.
• Safeguarding Policy 
• Role of designated safeguarding officer.
• Recording and information sharing 
• Health and safety policies 
• Lone working policies 
• Reporting allegations of bullying or complaints of inappropriate behaviour. 

Statement: 

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary offers equal opportunities to all people and will not tolerate abuse of any kind – physical, verbal, racial, cultural or religious. As a grassroots movement we have a moral responsibility, to all people associated with the local movement, to offer safety, protection, inclusion and equality.

Lone Working Policy:

The term ‘Lone Working’ relates to people who are in a building or venue on their own, collect or deliver items, who offer one-to-one support, or offer lifts.  

Buildings and venues:

• Where possible people should avoid working on their own.
• There are occasions where people cannot avoid being in a building on their own. In these circumstances, people should let the Lead Volunteer, or another person, know when they will be working alone. As a courtesy, it would be helpful to let the Lead Volunteer or friend know when you have left the building.  
• Key holders for venues should try to arrive and leave with another person.

Collecting and delivering: 

• For collecting and delivering items volunteers should record where they are going, who they are meeting and what they are delivering or collecting. 
• Lead volunteers should be informed when collections or deliveries are being made. 
• For collecting and delivering items volunteers should go in twos.

One-to-one support:

• Volunteers and befrienders should avoid lone working.  
• Volunteers and befrienders should avoid offering one-to-one support in isolated places or in places where others cannot be contacted. 
• Avoid offering support in a person’s personal rooms or accommodation.
• If you go to a person’s accommodation make sure that someone else is in the building and your presents cannot be misinterpreted.
• Often one-to-one support entails accompanying people to appointments, ensure someone know where you are going and when you should return.
• A log of support activities should be kept and shared with the Lead Volunteer or the Coordinator. 

Lifts and transporting people:

• When offering lifts, care should be taken that the person understands that they are traveling at their own risk.
• Passengers must adhere to laws such as wearing a seatbelt. 
• If you offer lifts to people with children, you have a responsibility to provide the proper car seats.
• Where possible, travel with a second volunteer – this may not always be practical.
• Let someone know when you are taking someone to an appointment or on a visit.
• Record journeys and be prepared to share the information with the Lead Volunteer of Coordinator. 
• For all lone working minimise or avoid placing yourself in a risk situation.
• Take every possible precaution to eliminate risks.

Policy written: 18^th March 2017.

Updated/modified:  (spelling corrections – DD 30/05/2019)