Needing advice on my rights as a community worker when it comes to safety
okay hi and apologies for the lack of proper formatting and obligatory don’t use reddit often. okay so i’m a permanent part time worker (relatively new hence my unsureness) in the community care sector (want to keep private unless absolutely necessary but think disability, youth work, peer work) in a residential care home that provides 24/7 care to the people in our care. here’s my problem, i have a permanent house where i will spend the majority of my shifts, but there is one house that’s been a major problem among female staff and as a result there is a major shortage. this is due to one of the clients attacking a female staff member and attempting to rape her. now supposedly many female staff have had issues and reported it but nothing has been done and they’re continuing to send female staff, even the ones who have been put at risk there. now here’s where i need advice, they rostered me on to do a sleepover at this house. at a sleepover i would be the only staff member present and feel as a women my life is genuinely at risk. i understand that as these workers we have to take risks but i was wondering legally can i refuse to go to that specific house if it’s a personal safety concern? and is my organisation continuing to allow female staff here a legal issue? sorry if this doesn’t make sense, happy to provide further context if needed. Thank you!