Lone Worker Survey

LookOut call, together with the The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the UK's leading charity for personal safety, carried out a survey to examine issues associated with lone working from a lone worker's perspective.

81% of lone workers who participated in the survey were concerned about violence and aggression, 52% of males had experienced abuse compared to 40% for females, 10% had experienced punching/ kicking/ pushing incidents.

If you would like to receive detailed information about the survey findings, please contact us (link) and we will send a copy of the report to you.

Otherwise a summery of the results can be seen below:

The survey targeted three specific sectors: The NHS, Local Authorities and Housing Associations
81% of lone workers who participated in the survey were concerned about violence and aggression. 52% of males had experienced abuse compared to 40% for females. 10% had experienced punching/ kicking/ pushing incidents.
Mobiles were relied on heavily but: a significant number of workers used their own as “work” mobile phones were often not available. UK mobile coverage is not perfect so help cannot always be summoned in the more remote areas and from deep inside buildings.
The following initiatives were used to help improve lone worker safety:

	NHS	Local Govt	Housing
Auto phone/Buddy	16%	13%	17%
Training	12%	21%	14%
Better policy/procedures	3%	20%	17%
Mobile	13%	7%	3%
Paired visits	7%	11%	0%
Reporting system	6%	4%	0%

Training was frequently quoted by those who took part as the most important factor in avoiding physical and verbal abuse.
Frequency of changes to procedures varied from 59% following verbal abuse to a much lower 40% following physical assaults.
Only 2% of those questioned had left their jobs due to violence.
11% of respondents in the housing sector reported being held against their will at least once.
10 % of respondents in local government had experienced physical abuse
9% of respondents in local government had been threatened by a weapon
1% of respondents in the NHS referred to a weapon incident.

Differences of opinions between managers and staff regarding lone worker initiatives

For the NHS, the most quoted initiative was for Autophone or Buddy systems (particularly by staff but with little interest from management.)

Paired visits were also not mentioned by managers in the NHS but was by staff.

For local government, the most quoted initiative was for training followed very closely by the desire for better policies. Both issues were well supported by staff.

For the housing sector managers were most interested in creating better policies whereas staff seemed unconcerned.

The majority of those surveyed lived and worked in a town setting, only 3% worked in rural areas
Respondents were not worried about using technology to assist them in their work. Most of those surveyed used email and relied heavily on computers.
Over 150 organisations across the UK participated in the survey.

Anonymous comments made by those who participated

Training is available but none of my team attended as yet due to pressures of service delivery. Staffing levels are dictated by funding which often means that level of risk cannot be helped. Not enough training in personal safety.

EDT workers are frequently faced with difficult choices: to put themselves at risk in carrying out assessments or be blamed by senior management should they fail to do so - and the client (or his family) come to harm

Diary is sporadically filled in. No one would notice if someone was not back unless they were needed elsewhere.

I was locked in a room, threatened with a fist. Pair of scissors in hand

I was attacked by a female in my home. I’ve been refused exit by a couple in their own house. I had to call the police. The surgery supported me and the patients were asked to leave the practice

I've been trapped in houses twice but I negotiated my way out in both situations

A dog was set on me. I regarded this as part of the job

The worst thing that ever happened to me was being held at knifepoint for three hours before the Police rescued me. The perpetrator also threatened to throw his baby against the wall unless I told him where his partner was. He was held on remand but at his court hearing was given a conditional discharge. I remember his barrister calling it a "joke case". The man returned home that evening and beat his wife up so badly she ended up in hospital.

I can't emphasise training enough. There are ways of assessing and handling clients in distress or who a personality disordered. Ultimately it is these kinds of skills that keep social workers safe.

We looked after Jack Roy years ago, a regular absconder, took him in our cars at night. Never dreamed he was a danger - until he killed a social worker on a train.

More money for everyone to have a mobile phone as standard kit would help as we have to use our own.

Employers should prosecute for every incident. These notices "no staff harassment" need to be credible.