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Posted By David Bannister
I'm looking for any other ideas as to how best to reduce the risks to charity volunteers when in private dwellings. They receive excellent training in how to recognise and avoid confrontations etc and are told to back out if in any doubt as to their safety. I have no concerns on that part of the job.
My worry is that of them being held against their will and how to raise the alarm. Any solution HAS TO BE low or no cost.
I have suggested mobile phone calls prior to entry and at exit, using a codeword to indicate safety. No closeout call by the pre-agreed deadline to trigger action.
Does anybody have any other ideas that have worked in similar scenarios?
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Posted By Pete Longworth
You could include doubling up or always being accompanied by someone else, if that is feasible.
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Posted By Pete Longworth
You can also get these aerosol operated panic alarms like mini air horns.
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Posted By David Bannister
Thanks Pete. Doubling up is not feasible but personal alarms may be so.
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Posted By Ian Blenkharn
What about the small radio alarms developed for the elderly and infirm?
Discrete and effective
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Posted By Richard Selk
Just a few thoughts (no answers)from when we looked at this.
How will you manage mobile calls from areas of poor reception?
How will you identify areas of poor reception for your system?
Rich
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Posted By Jem
Hi
Take look at the Connexion2 website for the identicom system.
Jem
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Posted By D H
David - has there been instances where staff have been held against their will before?
You state "My worry is that of them being held against their will and how to raise the alarm. Any solution HAS TO BE low or no cost"
If the task assessment suggests that your people are in danger then you must take the "reasonably practicable" option where costs are concerned.
Put yourself in their position - if it were you what would you want as back up? Then consider putting that into practice
Dave
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Posted By Kieran J Duignan
David
Reading your statements:
'(they)are told to back out if in any doubt as to their safety. I have no concerns on that part of the job.
My worry is that of them being held against their will and how to raise the alarm. Any solution HAS TO BE low or no cost.'
it appears to me that your definition of the problem may well be part of the root difficulty. For an adequate definition appropriately includes recognition of 'hostage' situations.
Social forensic research indicates how hostage situations can be so ambiguous that firstly 'doubt' about safety may be unforeseeable and secondly 'how to raise the alarm' (effectively) may be interwoven with ways of influencing the emotions of the hostage-takers.
Training based on the hostage definition and hostage management methods of forensic psychologist and management trainer George Kohlrieser is not available free but can be such good value that it falls within any realistic definition of what is 'reasonably practicable' where preventing serious injury or death is needed.
Kohlrieser's book, 'Hostage at the Table', available through Amazon, is an inexpensive and easy-to-read, simple ntroduction to his approach which is psychologically rich, robust and profound.
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Posted By Jean
Hello David
I would suggest the analysis takes place before the visit. Do you have any information about the client, site that suggests that there might be a problem. Do you actually have to go to the site/clients home? Can it not be arranged for you to meet with them elsewhere.
Is it an appointment system? Do you check with the client who will be present at the visit? Is there any information available from other sources, referal agency etc.
Do you provide training in conflict resolution?
Just because someone shouts at you, doesn't nec. mean that they are going to assault you.
Do you have the right people for the job.
Why are they visiting these people at home?
Is there a diary system. Are appointsment kept to a schedule. Are they re-organised on the day?
Is there a contact person, who the individual phones to/receives a check call from?
Personal alarms in this situation I wouldn't recommend. However, a mobile phone is an absolute must.
Assuming that the person receiving the call identifies that there is a problem. What protocols/procedures are they going to follow?
Do you have a good incident reporting system in operation? How do you draw these reports into your training?
You haven't mentioned the type of work you do, other than a charity. How often are you aware of staff being held hostage?
I appreciate that you say that doubling up isn't an option, however, if it is so unsafe, then possibly the volunteer shouldn't be going into the premises in the first place.
I've quoted before, and I'll repeat it again. In the area that I live the police will not visit and enter a home other than in pairs. Just think how much training they get.
Jean
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Posted By David Bannister
Thanks to all responders. The risk of violence etc is reduced by a range of pre-visit measures and training to recognise danger signals and respond appropriately, all after specific risk assessments using the available information.
Whilst we have reduced the likelihood so far as we can there is still some residual risk to which I was looking to apply some additional control.
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Posted By David Bannister
Jean, your detailed response indicates to me that you have experience of this type of scenario. Your email is not visible and I would be interested to chat offline. If you are happy to do so please use my email address: davidsbannister at hotmail.com.
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Posted By Sheila EJ Keogh
David,
if your staff cannot work in pairs and medium/high risk clients are being visited, then can the meetings be held in a public place rather than in the client's own accommodation? As you know, you cannot send staff in singly to known medium/high risk situations without adequate precautions.
I understand the cost issues of your organisation. However, a very cost effective back-up is "guardian angel" which one of our services is just in the process of signing up to.
Sheila
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