Keeping your staff and the people you support safe during the civil unrest

In light of the ongoing civil unrest, it is crucial to ensure the safety of our teams and the people we support. It is important to recognise that our teams working in social care are often lone working, arriving early and late for shifts and our teams and services are multicultural and diverse.

Here are seven suggestions you could implement/check are in place:

1. Central Contact Point

• Establish a central organisational contact, such as a dedicated phone line or email address, where staff can seek support or report potential disturbances near care settings or on their journey to work.
• Ensure this contact point is monitored 24/7 to provide timely assistance and information.

2. Avoid Unrest Areas:

• Advise staff to stay informed about areas experiencing civil unrest by regularly checking local news and updates from reliable sources.
• Staff should avoid entering these areas, even if it means rearranging or postponing activities. The safety of our staff is the priority over any planned activities.
• Provide maps or lists of affected areas to help staff plan their routes and activities accordingly.

3. Travel Assistance:

• If travel plans cannot be rearranged and are disrupted, use alternative modes of transport, such as taxis or ride-sharing services, to minimise exposure to civil unrest.
• Consider arranging group travel for staff where possible, as there is safety in numbers.
• Provide travel reimbursements for staff who need to use alternative transport methods.

4. On-Site Safety:

• Implement strict access control measures to ensure that only identified and authorised individuals are allowed on site.
• Train staff on how to handle situations involving unidentified visitors and the importance of not letting them on site.
• If staff or any of the people you support are targeted inside or outside a service, or in the community, call the police immediately on 999. Encourage staff to report such incidents to the central organisational contact as well.
• Conduct regular safety drills and ensure all staff are familiar with emergency procedures.

5. Stay Informed:

• There will be multiple demonstrations and riots over the coming weeks. Although sporadic, they may pose a threat to the security of staff or the people you support.
• Encourage staff to stay in contact with a central contact or a manager who can think through and implement measures to enhance safety.
• Provide staff with regular updates on the situation, including any changes to safety protocols or areas to avoid.
• Use internal communication channels, such as emails, newsletters, or a dedicated app, to keep staff informed.

6. Emergency Contact:

• Remind staff to call 999 if they are in immediate danger.
• Ensure that all staff have access to emergency contact numbers and know how to reach the central organisational contact quickly.
• Provide guidance on what information to provide when calling emergency services to ensure a swift response.
• Ensure you have the most up to date next of kin details for each person you support and member of staff in your team.

7. Lone Worker Safety

Many of our teams lone work, and as an employer it is your responsibility to keep them as safe as possible. Consider:

• How you will keep them informed
• Help them plan routes to avoid areas known for unrest or demonstrations.
• Asking them to regularly check in with a designated contact person, especially when traveling to and from work.
• Using taxis or ride-sharing services instead of public transport if it feels safer.
• Advising your team to avoid wearing headphones or being distracted by your phone while walking.
• Having a plan in place for what to do if you encounter unrest or feel unsafe.
• Supplying a personal alarm or whistle to attract attention if needed.
• Using safety apps that can alert contacts in case of an emergency.
• Providing training on personal safety, emergency procedures, and how to handle civil unrest situations.

This list is not exhaustive but is designed to help you keep your staff and the people you support stay safe and vigilant. Together, we can navigate these challenging times safely. Remember, the above touches on pre-event planning, and you should ensure that you provide access to counselling and support services for staff affected by the unrest if needed.