Newport City Council
Newport City Council is a unitary authority responsible for the administration of all areas of local government for Newport. It employs almost 7,500 personnel and controls a budget of around £300 million. It is the 8th largest council in Wales and provides the community with all major services for education, leisure, housing, social services, planning and highways.
The Challenge
Newport City Council management, in pursuit of their duty of care obligations, followed a rigorous re-assessment of the risks encountered by their personnel carrying out such services as parking attendants, education services, housing officers, social services including public protection and supported living, property services including manned guarding and perimeter security. Following a review of the features available via their existing Lone Worker service provider Newport City Council decided to test the market for any improved service offerings.
The council identified key risks to staff as: Violence and aggression, spitting, verbal and physical abuse, potential for accident and possible ill-health sometimes with little or no support from colleagues, could be exacerbated by late night or weekend Lone Working.
The Solution
In order to ensure the safety of staff while providing an effective and efficient service to thousands of members of the public every day, an integrated, flexible approach was necessary. It was vital for Newport City Council to guarantee an effective Lone Worker solution for their staff 365 days and 24 hours per day. After a comprehensive trial of three technology solutions, the council chose to place their reliance for staff safety and their duty of care with Argyll's Mobicare service.
Argyll was chosen because it provides a broad and comprehensive range of future-proof services and devices that enable staff to call for assistance when needed. The company also provides a complete Lone Worker solution incorporating a failsafe and dedicated risk management approach that assures Newport City Council management of staff safety at the end of their shift and temporary risk activities throughout the working day.
The chosen solution enables staff to control the service using the council’s own mobile phones and secure Internet services for day to day control of personal data and alarm protocols. Incident management is provided by Argyll’s integrated BS8484 and BS5979 CATII Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) required to obtain police assistance. The ARC service incorporates an integrated Lone Worker location management platform to assist response teams.
Full compliance reporting tools enable Newport City Council management to comply with UK legislation under the Corporate Homicide and Corporate Manslaughter Act (2007) and to demonstrate their duty of care to any internal or external health & safety audit.
During the trial the solution was commended for its ease of use, its flexibility to suit individual work patterns and the simple implementation and control processes for management.
Products and Services
- Argyll Mobicare
- Staff mobile phones
- Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) monitoring.
This integrated solution leaves staff feeling more supported and reassured, safe in the knowledge that they have a coordinated approach to their personal safety whilst working alone. By employing an effective Lone Worker solution Newport City Council employees can focus on delivering an excellent service, comforted that they are protected against the threats of violence and abuse, accident or ill-health. The organisation has addressed a key area of concern and alleviated staff anxieties and stress factors with a small investment in appropriate technology and utilisation of existing resources that enables the organisation to fulfil their duty of care under the current legislation.
Further Information
For further information on the Argyll's Mobicare Service please:
