- Purpose
This policy ensures the safety and welfare of staff and children during any periods of lone working. We comply with the EYFS 2023 (paras 3.29–3.32, 3.40, 3.62–3.64) and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Approval of Lone Working
– Lone working must be approved in advance by the Holiday Club Manager or Operations Director.
– Lone working is recorded on the staff rota.
– Parents are notified if a session will be staffed by a single worker.
– A full lone working risk assessment is carried out before approval.
– Our insurers have confirmed cover for lone working situations.
- On-Site and On-Call Support
– In some lone working situations, there may be another person on site, such as a caretaker or lettings assistant.
– In addition, an on-call person will be nominated for each lone working session.
– The on-call person must be able to reach the site within 60 minutes in an emergency.
- Staff Suitability
Only staff approved for lone working may do so. They must:
– Hold a current 12-hour paediatric first aid certificate.
– Have up-to-date safeguarding/child protection training.
– Hold a valid food hygiene certificate.
– Be medically fit for lone working.
– Have sufficient skills and experience to supervise children alone.
– Be familiar with the emergency evacuation procedure, adapted for lone working.
- Working Practices
– Children must remain within sight or hearing at all times.
– Essential resources must be accessible at all times, including:
– Child records and emergency contacts
– First aid kit
– Club mobile phone
– Accident/incident and safeguarding forms
– Cleaning products/spills box
– If intimate care is given, it is recorded in the Incident Log and signed by parents on collection.
– Any safeguarding concerns are reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
- Related Policies
– Safeguarding Children Policy
– Emergency Evacuation Policy
– Intimate Care Policy
– Illness and Accidents Policy
– Risk Assessment Policy
- Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required by legislation or following an incident.