Lone Working Policy for Counsellors – Pride Space CIC 

1. Purpose 

This policy sets out how Pride Space CIC supports and safeguards counsellors who may be working alone, either on-site or remotely. It aims to minimise risks, promote safe practice, and ensure the wellbeing of staff, volunteers, and clients. 

2. Scope 

This policy applies to all counsellors (paid or volunteer) providing services through Pride Space CIC, whether in person, online, or by telephone. 

3. Principles 

  • The safety of counsellors and clients is a priority. 
  • Counsellors must never feel pressured to work in a way that compromises their safety. 
  • All lone working arrangements should be risk-assessed and agreed in advance. 
  • Confidentiality and safeguarding duties remain central to all counselling work. 

4. Definition of Lone Working 

Lone working is any situation where a counsellor is working without close or direct supervision, or out of sight/hearing of other staff or volunteers. Examples include: 

  • Counselling a client in a private room without another staff member nearby. 
  • Providing therapy in a community setting without on-site support. 
  • Delivering online or telephone counselling sessions from home. 

5. Responsibilities 

Pride Space CIC 

  • Provide clear lone working procedures and training. 
  • Maintain systems for counsellors to log sessions and locations. 
  • Ensure safeguarding reporting mechanisms are accessible. 
  • Review risks regularly. 

Counsellors 

  • Follow agreed procedures when working alone. 
  • Inform their line manager (or designated contact) of their working times and locations. 
  • Report any incidents, concerns, or near misses promptly. 
  • Take personal responsibility for maintaining professional boundaries and ensuring safe practice. 

6. Lone Working Procedures 

In-Person Counselling 

  • Sessions should normally take place in designated, risk-assessed venues. 
  • Counsellors should ensure another staff member, volunteer, or keyholder is aware of session times. 
  • A check-in/check-out system must be used (text or phone to a designated contact). 
  • Counsellors must never meet clients at their own home or at the client’s home. 

Online / Telephone Counselling 

  • Counsellors should carry out sessions in a private, safe space where they will not be overheard. 
  • They must log the start and end of sessions with the designated contact system. 
  • Personal phone numbers and addresses must never be shared with clients. 
  • Counsellors must have a clear safeguarding protocol if a client is at risk of harm during an online session. 

Community Settings / Outreach 

  • Risk assessments must be completed before counselling takes place in community venues. 
  • Counsellors must have access to a phone and a designated check-in procedure. 
  • Lone working must only occur where deemed safe by management. 

7. Safeguarding and Emergencies 

  • Counsellors must follow Pride Space’s Safeguarding Policy for all concerns. 
  • If a counsellor feels unsafe during a session, they should end it immediately and report the incident. 
  • In an emergency, counsellors must contact emergency services first, then inform their line manager. 

8. Monitoring and Review 

  • Lone working arrangements will be reviewed annually, or sooner if an incident occurs. 
  • Counsellors are encouraged to give feedback on the policy and raise concerns.