CuraFlow DC-B12CQCSection B · Human Resources and Workforce
Lone Working policy
For CQC-registered domiciliary care services · version 1.0 · last reviewed 1 June 2026
Care staff in domiciliary care usually work alone in people's homes, and this policy sets out how those risks are assessed and managed. It covers check-in and monitoring arrangements, what happens when a check-in is missed, personal safety and the right to withdraw, and travel and environmental safety. Training for lone workers and incident reporting are also included.
What this policy covers
- Lone working in domiciliary care — the risks
- Assessing the risks
- Staying in contact — check-in and monitoring
- Missed check-in and emergency escalation
- Personal safety and the right to withdraw
- Environmental and travel safety
- Supporting and training lone workers
- Reporting incidents and learning
- Lone workers
- Annex a — lone working risk assessment
- Annex b — check-in and escalation procedure
Regulations and guidance it supports
Supports the fundamental standards at Regulations 12, 13, 17, 19 and 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
- Equality Act 2010
Common questions
- Is the lone working policy CQC-aligned?
- Yes. It is written and reviewed by practising UK compliance consultants against current CQC expectations, and supports the fundamental standards at Regulations 12, 13, 17, 19 and 20. It is a controlled starting-point document that you adapt to your own service — you remain the accountable provider.
- Can I download and edit this policy?
- Yes. It downloads as Word (.docx) or PDF with your company name, registered manager, CQC ID and address already filled in on the cover page and throughout the document. The Word version is fully editable.
- Can I buy this policy on its own?
- Policies are sold as a complete library rather than individually, because CQC expects a coherent set that cross-references properly — a single policy in isolation creates gaps. The domiciliary care library contains 141 policies and can be bought outright as a one-off purchase and kept permanently.
- How often is it reviewed?
- The library is re-reviewed every six months and after any material regulatory change. This policy was last reviewed 1 June 2026, and is at version 1.0. Updates reach you automatically, so downloads always reflect the current version.