Date: October 2025
Review Date: September 2026
Coordinator: the Health and Safety Lead
Nominated Governor: Elliot Wassell
Version: 10.25
1. Purpose
This policy exists to protect staff, learners, contractors, and volunteers when working without direct supervision—whether online, in hybrid contexts, or during rare in-person support activities. It ensures that lone working at The Haven is conducted safely, transparently, and in alignment with statutory safeguarding frameworks and our neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed ethos.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all The Haven employees, contractors, mentors, and volunteers who may:
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Work online 1:1 with learners.
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Provide asynchronous support without immediate oversight.
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Undertake out-of-hours or unsupervised administrative work.
3. Guiding Principles
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Safety-first: safeguarding learners and protecting staff wellbeing equally.
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Transparency: clear reporting and record-keeping for all lone working arrangements.
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Neurodivergent-affirming: recognising communication and relational differences.
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Alignment: consistent with The Haven’s Safeguarding, Staff Conduct, Behaviour, and Prevent Duty policies.
4. Definitions
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Lone Working: Any situation in which staff operate without direct, immediate support from another adult.
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High-risk lone working: 1:1 interactions (online or in-person) with a learner that require prior approval and specific risk assessment.
5. Risk Assessment
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All lone working activities must be risk assessed in advance.
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DSL to oversee risk assessments for 1:1 learner work.
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Risks considered include: visibility (e.g., camera off), emotional impact, location safety, safeguarding escalation, and digital recording protocols.
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Staff may not initiate lone in-person meetings with learners without written approval from Haven leadership and a completed risk assessment. Parental enrollment at The Haven gives implicit approval for online 1:1 sessions using Haven-approved platforms.
6. Safe Practice Expectations
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Use only The Haven-approved digital platforms.
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Maintain visibility—no disabling of chat logs or recordings where policy requires.
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Inform supervisor/DSL of planned lone working sessions.
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Check-in/check-out system with a colleague for out-of-hours or high-risk lone working.
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Immediate escalation to DSL if concerns arise during a lone session
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Staff will not transport learners (eg. to exams) at any time whether 1:1 or in a group.
7. Emergency and Escalation
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Staff must have access to:
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DSL and Deputy DSL contact details.
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Emergency services where physical safety is at risk.
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If unsafe or inappropriate behaviour occurs during lone working, the staff member must end the session safely and report immediately.
8. Wellbeing and Support
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Staff may decline lone working if they feel unsafe.
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Supervision and reflective practice offered following incidents, disclosures, or distressing lone sessions.
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Weekly or as required staff wellbeing checks for those engaged in significant lone working.
9. Monitoring and Review
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Lone working logs to be reviewed by DSL termly as part of safeguarding audits.
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Governing Board to receive anonymised reports of lone working practices and incidents.
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Policy to be reviewed annually or sooner if statutory guidance changes.
10. Practical Lone Working Checklist
**Before a Lone Working Session
**☐ Confirm session is logged and risk assessed.
☐ Notify Supervisor/DSL of start and expected end time.
☐ Ensure you are using a Haven-approved platform.
☐ Check your working environment is safe, private, and free from interruptions.
☐ Have emergency contacts (DSL, Deputy DSL, emergency services) accessible.
**During a Lone Working Session
**☐ Keep chat logs/recordings enabled if required.
☐ Remain alert to safeguarding indicators (withdrawal, coded language, distress).
☐ Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
☐ Escalate immediately if a concern arises.
**After a Lone Working Session
**☐ Check out with line manager/DSL.
☐ Log any safeguarding concerns on the appropriate system.
☐ Record the session in lone working log.
☐ Access reflective supervision if the session was challenging.