Introduction
The Amber Trust recognises that its services, Little Amber, Amber Plus and With Music in Mind, require freelance practitioners to visit the homes of families with vision impaired children, presenting the issue of lone and working in other people’s homes. The Amber Trust recognises that both the practitioner and The Amber Trust have duties in ensuring a safe working environment. The Amber Trust has responsibility to advise practitioners working alone in other people’s homes to assess potential risks and to take steps to avoid or control these. The practitioner should ensure they are aware of their safety responsibilities and raise any safety concerns when they arise.
Policy Statement
The Amber Trust is committed to the health, safety and welfare of all those working on the charity’s behalf. The aim of this policy is to minimise the risks faced by Little Amber, Amber Plus and With Music in Mind practitioners who work alone and put in place appropriate measures to improve safety. Little Amber, Amber Plus and With Music in Mind practitioners are required to take reasonable care of themselves and others affected by their work and to co-operate with The Amber Trust in meeting their legal obligations with regards to Health and Safety and other legislation.
Procedures
Potential hazards for Little Amber, Amber Plus and With Music in Mind practitioners include having nowhere close at hand to park, and having to walk some distance carrying equipment, and perhaps in the dark; allegations from parents; and dogs or other dangerous animals on site. In order to reduce the risk of these potential hazards, the following risk assessment procedure is recommended:
When making an appointment, the following information should be obtained:
- Full address including postcode and contact number.
- Directions. Is the property easy to find?
- Where is there to park? How far away is it from the house?
- Who will be present at the appointment?
- Are there any dogs or other potentially dangerous animals at the property? If yes, request that they are kept under control or out of the way during your visit.
After gathering this information, any concerns that it may be unsafe working alone in any particular context should be discussed beforehand with the Music Services Manager. A template risk assessment form is provided at the end of this policy.
Before you arrive at the location:
- Call the parent(s) to confirm the appointment at least 24 hours beforehand.
- Make sure your mobile phone is charged and that you have ID with you.
- Make sure the Music Services Manager has details of your appointments.
When you arrive at the location:
- If it is your first visit, present your ID to the adult who opens the door.
- Do not enter the home if no adult is present.
- If at any time during the visit for any reason you feel uncomfortable, make an excuse and leave.
- If you have any concerns whatever about a child’s welfare, then please refer to our Safeguarding Policy.
Keeping safe means constantly assessing the environment and your place in it, in line with your own health, which may include pregnancy, mobility issues, tiredness, etc. Please report any concerns to the Music Services Manager.
Reporting
Little Amber, Amber Plus and With Music in Mind practitioners must report any concerns, lone working incidents or near misses immediately to the Music Services Manager, who will record and report them to the trustees to review and make changes to the policy and procedures when appropriate. The Amber Trust is responsible for recording and acting on any issues raised by a practitioner to reduce the risk.
Support
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is a registered charity and leading charitable authority on personal safety and lone working: www.suzylamplugh.org
This policy is to be read in conjunction with the following policies:
This policy is reviewed regularly and updated as required.
Adoption date: 01/04/2018
Last reviewed date: 16/05/2023
Lone working risk assessment – if you have any concerns you can record them in a template such as this and discuss with the Music Services Manager.
