GUIDANCE SAFE PRACTICE FOR LONE WORKING
(Reviewed 2023)
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Ringmer
Lone working is an everyday practice for clergy and some church workers (for instance pastoral visitors) and working from home, being alone in an office and attending remote locations (for example carrying out a home visit) could all constitute lone working. The aim of this guidance is to help everyone think about how to undertake lone working with respect for their own safely and for the safety of those with whom they work...
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
All staff and volunteers will require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
This check will be organised and submitted through the St Mary the Virgin’s Safeguarding Officer, Mrs Deirdre Booth (tel: 01273 812516; email: safeguarding@ringmerchurch.org.uk)
For further information:see: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service
Pastoral care / visits
One to one contact with individuals in the context of pastoral care should be properly planned, its risks considered and recorded effectively. It is essential in pastoral care to acknowledge appropriate physical, sexual, emotional and psychological boundaries.
Some simple tips
Whenever possible make prior arrangements to meet rather than meet 'on demand'
Try to have someone else in the next room or nearby whenever possible
Make the purpose of the meeting clear at the outset and the time available for the discussion
Don't take any unnecessary risks — if you feel uncomfortable at all, end the meeting and report your concerns to your Safeguarding Officer / Supervisor / Archdeacon
Respect personal space and never do or say anything that could be misinterpreted
Ensure someone knows where you are and what time you expect to return; you should carry a mobile phone
If there is any known risk, complete a risk assessment to ensure you remain safe (see the personal risk assessment at the end of this guidance
Supervisors of pastoral visitors should occasionally visit, accompany or observe lone workers to ensure safe practice
Automatic warning devices can be obtained for use in risky places or activities
It may be appropriate for lone workers to be asked to check in once they have completed their task or have safely reached their home following it. Please judge this on a case-by-case basis
After the pastoral meeting (face-to-face, emails, texts, telephone calls), always make a record — this can be in a diary or electronically — the following details should be included:
When and where the meeting / discussion took place
Purpose of the meeting / discussion
The time you / the other person arrived and left
Who else was present (if applicable)
A brief, factual account of what was discussed & agreed
Any potential or actual safeguarding concerns identified
Any actions taken or to be taken, and any decisions made, including advice taken and who shared with
Sign and date the record and store securely
Responding to safeguarding issues raised during a pastoral encounter
A safeguarding issue is one where an individual, child or adult, may appear to be at risk of abuse, or may present a risk to others. Such issues cannot be kept confidential. They have to be raised with your Safeguarding Officer and may have to be reported to statutory authorities. If the person discloses or discusses matters on which the visitor needs to take action, a fuller note must be made of what it was and what action was taken. Taking action refers to raising or referring the matter to anyone else for discussion and possible action. If the matter is urgent, contact should be made with the police or another statutory agency. Action can always be taken and information shared if the person reasonably believes that this will help safeguard another person or prevent a crime. (For further information, see the PCC’s Safeguarding Policy and the Church of England Safeguarding Handbook.)
Remember we have to: RECOGNISE RESPOND RECORD REPORT and REFER
Planning lone working: considerations for risk assessment
Is lone working necessary? Confidentiality can be assured with other people within reach.
If there are casual callers take precautions before opening the door. Eg. use of a door chain.
Who will be involved? And who else should know about it?
When and where will it take place? Avoid making arrangements which could be misinterpreted.
Is there a risk of violence? A good working definition of violence is: Any behaviour which produces damaging or hurtful effects, physically or mentally, on people.
Are there any increased risks to the particular worker?
Are there any known medical or other factors which could make either party more vulnerable? Some medical conditions can lead to disinhibition.
Using your own home for activities
Where activities are formally organised by the parish, the following guidance should be noted. Activities for vulnerable groups will normally take place on church premises however if meetings are to be held in a leader's own home the following points need to be considered:
Ensure you have the consent of your vicar for the activity to take place and that there is adequate insurance cover
Ensure that a risk assessment of the room(s) to be used has been carried out
Ensure that two unrelated adults are present at all times (arriving before the first group member and not leaving until after the last group member has left)
Never use inappropriate rooms i.e. bedrooms
Ensure that the Diocesan and parish policies for vulnerable groups are followed.
Further advice / information
It's good to talk! Although confidentiality is of utmost importance, our pastoral visitors must have their needs supported throughout. Please ensure that we support one another and that any concerns are shared and information recorded as necessary.
Should you have any questions or requests for additional information to be added to this, please contact Deirdre Booth (safeguarding@ringmerchurch.org.uk).
Adopted by the PCC on 27th November 2023.
For a pdf file of this document, please click here