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Lone Working Policy

Effective Date: January 2024
Last Review Date: January 2026

1. Purpose

This policy outlines how Overcome manages risks associated with lone working in a fully remote environment, ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and support of all staff, trainees, volunteers, and contractors delivering services independently.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All staff, trainees, volunteers, and contractors
  • All remote coaching, supervision, and training activities conducted independently

3. Definition of Lone Working

Lone working refers to situations where an individual works without direct, in-person supervision or immediate physical support from colleagues.

Within Overcome, this includes:

  • Delivering 1:1 coaching sessions remotely
  • Working from home or another private location

4. Risks Associated with Lone Working

Potential risks include:

  • Exposure to client distress or safeguarding disclosures
  • Managing unexpected high-risk situations during sessions
  • Emotional impact or stress from working independently
  • Reduced immediate access to support
  • Fatigue or burnout related to remote working

5. Control Measures

5.1 Training and Preparation

All staff and students receive training in:

  • Safeguarding
  • Boundaries and scope of practice
  • Use of escalation procedures
  • Safe remote working practices

5.2 Supervision and Support

  • Regular clinical supervision is provided
  • Additional support is available between sessions
  • Staff are encouraged to seek support following challenging sessions
  • Placement students must escalate all concerns to the Clinical Supervisor

5.3 Real-Time Support and Escalation

  • A real-time help/alert system is available during sessions
  • Managers can be alerted and join sessions where required
  • Immediate risks are escalated in line with safeguarding procedures
  • The Clinical Supervisor acts as Safeguarding Lead

5.4 Risk Management in Sessions

  • All clients are screened prior to starting sessions
  • High-risk clients are not accepted into the service
  • Coaches are not expected to manage high-risk situations independently
  • Clear protocols are in place for escalation and signposting

5.5 Safe Working Environment

Lone workers are expected to:

  • Work from a private, secure, and confidential space
  • Use secure, approved digital platforms
  • Ensure confidentiality of client information
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries

5.6 Wellbeing and Workload Management

  • Practitioners are encouraged to:
    • Take regular breaks
    • Manage screen time
    • Monitor their own wellbeing
  • Workload is monitored through supervision
  • Support is available for emotional or psychological impact of the role

6. Emergency Procedures

  • Client location and emergency contact details are collected at intake
  • In situations of immediate risk:
    • The help/alert system should be used
    • A manager may join the session
    • Emergency services may be contacted where necessary
  • Confidentiality may be breached where there is risk of harm to the client or others

7. Responsibilities

Organisation / Leadership

  • Ensure appropriate systems, training, and supervision are in place
  • Maintain escalation and safeguarding procedures
  • Review lone working risks yearly

Staff and Students

  • Follow lone working and safeguarding procedures
  • Escalate concerns appropriately
  • Work within competence and scope
  • Seek support when needed

8. Monitoring and Review

  • Lone working risks are monitored through:
    • Clinical supervision
    • Incident reporting
    • Safeguarding reviews
  • This policy is reviewed annually or as required