What It’s Really Like to Be a Lone Worker in Care
Lone working in care is common — and often misunderstood.
Personal assistants, home care workers, self-employed carers and community staff frequently work without colleagues physically present. They make decisions alone, manage risk alone and process emotion alone.
The hidden weight of lone working
Lone workers often carry:
• heightened responsibility
• fewer informal check-ins
• delayed reassurance
• self-doubt after difficult situations
• safety concerns carried quietly
Even when systems are good, absence of connection takes a toll.
It’s not “just one-to-one work” — it’s constant judgement calls
Lone working often means making quick decisions without someone to sense-check with.
That can include:
• responding to a health change
• supporting distressing behaviour
• managing family expectations
• handling medication prompts or documentation
• deciding when to escalate
Afterwards, many lone workers replay it all in their head.
“Did I do the right thing?”
Why lone workers still need a team
Having a team isn’t only about being in the same building.
It’s about knowing someone understands your context.
Peer connection helps lone workers:
• sense-check decisions
• reduce anxiety
• share practical tips
• feel less invisible
• recover emotionally after hard visits
### Where Peopleoo fits
Peopleoo becomes the team you don’t physically see.
It connects lone workers to:
• peers in similar roles
• professionals across settings
• lived experience that reassures
• recognition that reminds you your work matters
Working alone shouldn’t mean carrying everything alone.
FAQ
Q: Who counts as a lone worker in care?
A: Many home care workers, personal assistants and self-employed carers work alone for much of their day.
Q: Why is lone working stressful?
A: It combines responsibility, safety awareness and emotional labour without immediate peer support.
Q: How can lone workers feel less isolated?
A: By building peer connections, having a safe place to debrief, and receiving recognition for their work.
Q: How does Peopleoo help lone workers?
A: It offers peer support, shared learning and recognition so lone workers feel part of a wider care community.