| Guardian24’s app gives users the ability to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency |
Guardian24 – the UK and Ireland’s lone worker protection provider have been entrusted to protect Gateway Family Services’ outreach staff via Smartphone apps.
Health and well-being services
As a Community Interest Company, Gateway Family Services works with the NHS and Local Authorities to provide health and well-being services to communities in Birmingham and the West Midlands. These services are delivered by Pregnancy Outreach Workers and Health Trainers, who give one-to-one advice to clients in the community; often working alone which puts them at greater risk should an incident occur.
Having investigated various lone worker protection solutions, Gateway found Guardian24’s Smartphone app the most reliable and effective; consequently they ordered 60 licences for their outreach staff.
Guardian24 app
Available on all major operating platforms and certified to the lone worker standard - BS 8484, Guardian24’s app gives users the ability to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency. It also allows lone workers to log in and out of daily tasks, leaving details of their location and the expected duration. If an activity over runs Guardian24 will automatically call the lone worker to verify their safety. If the lone worker cannot be reached nominated respondents will be notified informing them of the overrun activity. This is a feature which Gateway have found invaluable.
Effective system assures security
Danny Dhadda, who manages one of the Outreach teams for Gateway, commented, “With Guardian24’s app our workers have the reassurance that there is an effective system and protocols in place if for any reason a visit was to go awry, or if they felt unsafe and uncertain at any time whilst out in the community.”
“The most impressive aspects of the service is the speed at which we can be informed as an On-call Manager that a visit has overrun and the fact that an individual can be located through GPS, if an incident was to occur. We have clear protocols for a genuine emergency, and code words that Guardian24’s Alarm Receiving Centre can listen out for if they need to. It is also quick and easy for our staff to log an activity.”
Will Murray, Guardian24’s Marketing Director added, “Every organisation has a legal obligation to reduce and mitigate the safety risks faced by their staff whilst doing their job. Implementing an accredited personal safety solution such as Guardian24’s can form a key component of Health and Safety Policies, provided they are fully integrated and backed-up with robust procedures and staff training.
“It’s encouraging to see that is exactly how Gateway Family Services have approached it and are now reaping the benefits through improved staff safety, confidence and morale.”