Lone Working & Student Policy
Lone Working Policy
At times staff/volunteers/students will be spending time with a member by themselves. There are multiple rooms available for activities and these can be utilised at different times during sessions. Some one-to-one activities will be planned but others will be spontaneous depending on the need/preference of members.
● When lone working the member of staff/volunteer must tell the group leader/session manager where they are going and which member they have with them. This includes taking members to the bathroom.
● Walkie talkies are available and should be used when lone working to call for assistance if needed.
● At no point should a member be left unaccompanied.
● If the staff member must leave the room they need to alert another member of the team who can then stay with the member.
● No staff member should ever be in the building with a member/members unaccompanied.
Student Policy
Dementia Active is a great place for work experience and placements for students studying various subjects. We are keen to offer placements to students aged 16 onwards. This policy helps us ensure that student placements are a positive experience for both students and staff.
● All dates for work experience and placements need to be preapproved and students need to provide appropriate documentation to be completed from their college/university.
● Students will all have an allocated supervisor who will support them in their learning objectives and liaise with the higher education institute (HEI).
● Weekly supervision will take place between supervisor and student.
● All students to be offered a pre-placement visit.
● The supervisor must ensure that a suitable risk assessment is completed before the placement begins, taking account of the student’s age, experience, individual needs, duties and supervision. It must be explained during induction and reviewed when circumstances change.
● Students to read all policies prior to start date including code of conduct, safeguarding and lone working policy.
● Core working hours for placement are 10.30am - 3pm. Hours may vary depending on the needs of the organisation.
● Students are responsible for recording their hours and ensuring they meet the placement requirements.
● If a student cannot attend due to illness or other reason then they must contact duty manager as early as possible and record their absence on their hours sheet.
● Any expenses occurred in course of placement must be agreed in advance with supervisor or CEO and can be claimed via expenses form.
● Any students under the age of 18 to have an allocated person each day who they can come to with any questions and who will supervise what responsibilities are delegated to them.
● Students not to do any personal care with members.
● Any tariff for placements to go via CEO.Dementia Active must verify, with the education provider, that safeguarding arrangements and any legally eligible and appropriate DBS checks are in place for the student’s actual duties. The host organisation’s responsibility is not discharged solely by relying on the education provider. Students must not undertake personal care with members.
Helen Burgess 08/06/2026
Review date 07/06/2027
