Half of social workers verbally abused during solo home visits in past year, finds UNISON

UNISON called on employers to sign up to its violence at work charter, which requires them to:
– Have a written violence and aggression at work policy covering lone working.
– Encourage staff to report all violent incidents.
– Collect and monitor data on violent incidents on a regular and ongoing basis.
– Conduct thorough risk assessments for staff placed in vulnerable situations.
– Provide training to staff on the appropriate way to handle threatening situations.
– Offer independent counselling to staff who are victims of violence at work, where appropriate.