not sure where to put this, sensible answers needed!

[naflharrison]

i work in a small care home and work night duty, due to the fact that it is a small home im the only one there during the night with someone on call should there be a emergency with a resident. its in a very remote setting and is a bit spooky at the best of times but ive been off for nearly 2 wks holiday and when i spoke to someone at work today they told me they had been recieving funny phonecalls during the night ie heavy breathing from a male etc now i have to work tonight and to be honest im bricking it! no one has informed the police of the calls and i want advice on whether i should demand that the police be informed about this incase something happens. its prime target for crime due to controlled drugs on the premises and the fact that everyone knows its only female staff and that we are alone at night apart from the residents. should i ask for the police to be informed before i start my shift for safety reasons?

[grasscarp]

Keep a whistle by the phone and blow it into the mouthpiece. The heavy breather wont call again.

[sara3]

they only get pleasure from thinking you're scared. it happened to me and I said, "you're wasting your time, but if you want to hang on you can listen to the telly", then put the receiver near the tv. there's no fun in that for them!

[naflharrison]

i wish it were that simple but there have been concerns before a long time ago at my work and wouldnt want to antagonise whoever is being a pri*k! trust me its very remote and would be quite easy for some nutter to do something.

[sara3]

if you're really that worried, call the police and get some advice. at least they can log your call.

can you just not answer the phone?

[Cugetit]

If this is a genuine post then there should be no doubt in your mind, nafl, just phone the police. CB will not solve the problem for you!! hth

[puddicat]

You should ring the police and tell oncall, after that you have covered ureself, and demand more support!!!

[naflharrison]

unfortunately not! we have to answer all calls, i know im being daft and over reacting but honestly its really out in the country side and where i live and have grown up you tend to be affraid of things like this. we live in northern ireland, not a bad place but you get to know some of the local crimes that dont go national and it freals you out when its on your door step

[naflharrison]

sorry meant to say freaks you out. and yes cugetit this is definately a genuine post! not my kinda thing to post rubbish for the hell of it like some of the post you see on here now and again! will be discussing it with the staff i take over from and also the boss but they already know i get a bit freaked being there so not sure if they will actually realise my concerns or just think my immagination is running away with me. its just that im young(ish) with 2 young children and if someone did get in i would not stand a chance so want to be safe, other than all this i really do like my job!

[puddicat]

Sorry meant to say i am ex nighshift in a residential home, and we would have rang the police if we thought any of our service users were at risk, if its heavy breathing well i would just put the phone down and not give them any credence, then in the morning report this and explain your anxiety and your vuneralblity,i would assume that all security measures are in force, many people get heavy breathing phone calls, just not care homes,so as long as you feel secure, if not ring police!!

[garner]

This needs a dicussion with your line manager as regards health and safety.Then if you get no joy contact your union, if no union then have a chat to the police on the matter and see what they have to say.

[naflharrison]

thanks puddicat you know what its like, i mean your always consious and a bit concerned that a resident could take ill or pass away during the night and thats the last thng you want to happen so this on top of that is worse. its just the usual things like alarms on main doors etc but theres nothing stopping someone breaking in really so i get myself a bit nervous about it! think im going to have to do something tho as i just dont think its safe, i know lots of people get calls but its a bit specific for a care home to get these calls, especially when there are always female staff who are realistically seen as vunerable and not to mmention the residents.

[Cugetit]

No disrespect, nafl, but as you concur, there is sometimes "rubbish for the hell of it" on here. I am a bit surprised that you are the sole member of staff on nights, albeit somebody is on call for emergencies. Bit risky, I would have thought for the "inmates" as well as yourself. Anyway, hope all goes well.

[naflharrison]

thanks cugetit i know it seems bizarre to have only one staff on but realistically there is barely even enough work for 1 during the night so not worth them paying 2 staff. all residents sleep all night bar 1 who only needs the toilet and there are a few that require minimal assistance to get dressed in the morning so fairly quiet place.!

[puddicat]

Are you on your own or working in twos?

[puddicat]

How many service users are you looking after?

[naflharrison]

i do a 10hr shift alone puddicat and there are 10 users at present with room for a further 2. that is the limit for the home

[cruella]

There is a "Lone working procedure" that should be adhered to.
If you get any weird calls, contact the Police as soon as you get the call. They will monitor the home, hopefully, but you need to talk with a Line Manager with your concerns.
I would think that one Staff member on duty on a night shift is unacceptable.
I assume that you work in private care homes.
Best of luck, but do not hesitate to call Police.
Service users are at risk, not to mention yourself. Good Luck.

[bigmamma]

I can see there's a problem to start with too cruella , there should be a minimum of 2 people at night . You say you have controlled drugs on site , surely you cannot administer any of these on your own . I don't know the condition of those in your care but some care requires at least 2 surely . What if you were to suddenly become ill or have an accident and not able to reach the phone ?
As for the calls , yes , inform the Police , and your superiors.
All the best x

[naflharrison]

this is also a concern for me as i have thought of what would happen if i was ill or an accident happened. fair enough there is someone on call who can be there in minutes literally but if something happened and i could not get the phone it would be the day staff arriving at 8am that would find the place still locked up and curtains drawn. it doesnt bear thinking about. i love working there and it is a residential unit and just like a big family compared to some homes i have worked in not mentioning any company names! and yes it is private. im unsure who i would call to get information about rules regarding staff numbers etc? ive only been working there a few mths but can see the problems regarding staff and service user safety.