Policy - Personal Safety

(September 2018)

General

  • Establish an emergency code / phrase with your family so that they know you are concerned (i.e.”Has John Smith called/emailed”) and that they know what to do if you say it
  • Consider having a personal attack alarm available and ensure that others know what to do should they hear it
  • When meeting someone in any location have a prepared excuse to terminate the meeting i.e. “I’ve got another meeting now so need to leave; can we re-schedule for another time?”
  • Ensure that your mobile phone is easily accessible and in good working order
  • Ensure that you have emergency contact telephone numbers programmed in to your mobile phone (if possible, consider adding these as “speed dial” shortcuts)
  • If worried about a situation take whatever action you need to escape to safety
  • Take suitable precautions to prevent an accusation of inappropriate behaviour with a child or vulnerable adult.

In the Church building or Family Centre

  • Try not to be in situations where you are alone in the building
  • Ensure someone knows when to expect you home
  • Ensure you have an escape route from the building
  • Ensure your car keys are to hand and you are parked so that you can get away easily
  • Ensure suitable first aid facilities are available

Visiting Others (at their homes and elsewhere)

  • Ensure your family and others know where you are and when to expect you to return
  • If possible try to meet people in public locations, rather than a location that you are unfamiliar with
  • Arrange for a family member (or another person) to call you at regular intervals to check that you are safe (NB: ensure that this conversation does not further alarm an agitated person or worsen a situation, by using agreed coded messages)
  • If meeting at someone’s home, make a mental note of the layout and how to escape quickly if you need to. Be aware of how the door locks/unlocks.
  • Allow the host to lead the way, so that doors cannot be locked behind you
  • Sit as close to the door as possible

At Home/Church Office

  • Complete a security assessment of the property (i.e. are boundaries, doors and windows adequately secure; is there security lighting/an intruder alarm / CCTV fitted, as appropriate).
  • Check who is at the door before opening (i.e. use a spyhole or security chain)
  • Consider whether you need to let uninvited callers in to the home (i.e. could you have seating outside, in clear view of the house, where you could sit and talk)
  • Plan how you will deal with requests for food / money from unexpected visitors (i.e. place in a bag so that you can pass it to them with one hand, leaving the other free to close the door quickly, should you need to. Keep your foot or a doorstop planted firmly behind the open door to prevent it being forced open)
  • Keep the office separate from the home, where possible
  • Don’t leave visitors alone in your home / office
  • Try to plan meetings when others will be at home
  • Do not let uninvited callers know that you are alone in the house
  • Keep a record book for visitors who are unexpected