"I cannot stress enough the importance of implementing a lone worker solution. It is our responsibility not only to ensure the safety of our lone workers but also to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to their welfare."

At Trent & Dove Housing Association, safeguarding the wellbeing of their lone workers is not just a commitment – it's a proactive and ongoing initiative.

Trent & Dove, a housing provider across East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire, and Northwest Leicestershire, manages over 6,300 properties, providing homes for over 16,000 people. With a large and diverse workforce, the organisation recognised the need to prioritise the safety of their employees who often work alone in high-risk situations.

Identifying the potential challenges and hazards that their lone workers could encounter; they sought a robust solution to support and protect these individuals. This led them to invest in a SoloProtect lone worker solution. With a focus on proactive risk management, it offers real-time, round-the-clock support for lone workers, ensuring their safety during potentially high-risk situations. This investment serves as a testament to Trent and Dove's dedication to promoting a safety-first culture, affirming their pledge to protect those who contribute immensely to their success.

The Challenge

Trent & Dove understands that the effectiveness of any safety measure hinges on a multifaceted approach, implementing a solution is not enough to ensure lone worker safety. To address this, they undertook a thorough review of their lone worker practices, emphasising the need for an up-to-date lone worker policy, regular lone worker risk assessments, and comprehensive training. This proactive stance underscored the organisation's dedication to empowering employees with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves while working alone.

Among other significant observations was the inconsistent use of lone worker devices. This pattern emerged due to a knowledge gap in understanding among employees about the procedures, and irregular monitoring and supervision by their respective managers. These findings served to further highlight the need for a comprehensive and proactive approach towards lone worker safety and Trent & Dove took the necessary steps to ensure their employees had the tools to properly protect themselves while working alone.

The Solution

The initial integration of SoloProtect's solution yielded significant improvements in the safety and security of Trent & Dove's lone workers. Real-time monitoring enables swift responses to emergencies, ensuring that employees are not left vulnerable. However, the organisation recognised the need for additional measures.

To aid both employees and line managers, they developed an arsenal of key documents to improve the understanding and usage of safety devices, and reduce vulnerability to employees and the organisation from any form of violent and threatening behaviour or other potential risks associated with lone working.

Documents such as a letter of responsibility, which users sign once they have completed the comprehensive SoloProtect device training, help to maintain a clear understanding of lone worker responsibilities. This includes using their lone worker devices as per instruction and training – as they would with any other Person Protection Equipment (PPE).

To assist in the improvement of monitoring and supervision for line managers, a document providing guidance on their responsibilities was created. This document not only outlines their core responsibilities, but also delves into the specifics of personal safety, lone working, lone worker risk assessments, and the proficient use of SoloProtect Insights reports. This streamlined resource serves as a valuable tool, equipping line managers with precise guidance on navigating the intricacies of their roles and ensuring a proactive approach to employee safety in lone working scenarios.

Comprehensive training on all devices, coupled with access to SoloProtect Insights training, was seamlessly integrated into Trent & Dove's lone worker safety onboarding tools, further validating the importance of personal safety and the necessity of an all-encompassing strategy to ensure their optimal use.

SoloProtect Insights

SoloProtect Insights, the online management portal supporting every SoloProtect solution, serves as a core component in Trent & Dove’s mission to protect their lone workers. Accessible from any location and on any device, this comprehensive platform boasts a myriad of features. Its functionalities contribute significantly to guaranteeing a tangible return on investment, streamlining administrative tasks, and enhancing visibility into the activities of mobile teams. By harnessing SoloProtect Insights, you not only optimise operational efficiency but also establish a robust foundation for continually improving, monitoring, and ensuring the sustained success of your lone worker safety solution.

Steve Hough, Managing Director, SoloProtect commented:

‍"Seeing Trent & Dove take such a proactive and comprehensive approach to lone worker safety is incredibly impressive. Their initiative not only validates the importance of personal safety devices, but also underscores the necessity of a holistic approach to ensure their effectiveness. Tools and technology are only as good as their application. Trent & Dove has set a stellar example by implementing measures to enhance device usage. They have not merely invested in a solution but have made a commitment to a culture of safety, demonstrating an understanding that the protection of their workforce is an ongoing process. Their dedication to this cause is commendable."

Trent & Dove's commitment to lone worker safety is both impressive and commendable. They have gone beyond simply investing in a solution, embodying a pledge to foster a culture that prioritises safety. Trent & Dove has taken their responsibility to their workforce seriously, continually improving device usage and ensuring employee protection is at the forefront of their operations. This understanding that worker safety requires an ongoing, dedicated approach is a testament to their commitment. With their actions, Trent & Dove are setting a laudable example for others to follow.

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