The Paradox of Restraint Reduction: Why Fighting Restraint Might Fuel Its Persistence

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In the realm of organisational management, particularly in sectors dealing with vulnerable populations such as healthcare facilities, schools, and correctional institutions, the discourse around physical restraint has undergone significant evolution. Restraint reduction programmes have emerged as a seemingly noble initiative aimed at minimising the use of physical force in managing challenging behaviours. However, beneath the surface of good intentions lies … Read more

Who’s In Your Speed Dial Telephone Numbers?

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Subject to which survey you read, there are: Between 123 and 205 daily assaults on lone workers Between 44,850 and 74,750 attacks on lone workers per year, and Between 159 and 266 daily instances of verbal abuse on staff Working remotely offers flexibility and freedom, but it also presents unique challenges, especially in emergency situations. Whether you’re working from a … Read more

Safeguarding Schools across the Scottish Borders and Beyond

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Whilst UNISON survey exposes ‘shocking’ levels of violence in Borders schools, are things any different in your area? 85 per cent of respondents reported experiencing/witnessing slapping or punching – that figure rose to 88 per cent regarding kicking incidents. More than 55 per cent of respondents said they experienced violence multiple times a week. In recent months, the Scottish Borders … Read more

Red Card…Your Banned!

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QMC recorded 1,800 incidents of aggression, violence and harassment during 2022-23. Notting University Hospital recorded 1,806 incidents. Staff have been hit, spat at, threatened, verbally and racially abused. What are some of the main triggers for the abuse of staff: Treating drunks Rival gangs People high on drugs People with mental health problems Homeless people, seeking a place of warmth … Read more

Elevating and Setting Standards in Aggressive Behaviour Management

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The recent BBC Disclosure programme, shown on 5th February 2024, brought to light the need for continued expertise and experience in preventing and managing aggressive behaviours. The programme featured the review into one of Scotland’s most high-profile deaths in prison custody (2015) cases at the Fatal Accident Inquiry which followed. Physical intervention is a very contentious issue and will always … Read more

Observation – A Crucial Perspective In The Use of Physical Intervention

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Up to the year ending March 2023 overall there were 2.1 million offences against the person recorded.  This was a 20% rise compared with the pre-covid pandemic year ending March 2020. Violence with injury was 6% higher (573,791 offences) than levels recorded in the year ending March 2020 (540,870 offences). Violence without injury increased by 14% to 828,673 offences compared … Read more

I’m Not In Charge, So Not My Problem

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I was reading several news articles related to inquests, where several things stood out.  In one case, a point that particularly caught my attention was that when asked about the ‘assumption the two-security staff working on the night of incident had been trained in physical intervention’, the person replied “yes”. Assume…you know what you get when you break down the … Read more

The Essence of Compliance, Competence, and Common Law in Physical Intervention Techniques

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Yet again I received a phone call stating that because someone conducting a review had not heard of a particular technique that was being used, the reviewing person was saying that what they (the person being reviewed) had done was wrong! My question to the reviewing person, who as it turned out had no known physical intervention or conflict management … Read more

Is Big Brother Really Watching You?

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According to reports there are between 124 and 205 assaults every working day on lone workers.  That equates to approximately between 45,000 and 74,000 attacks on lone workers each year. Situation…you’re working away on your own, and your concerned for your safety but you don’t feel you can just get up and leave. My question is not who you are … Read more

How The Great British Post Office Scandal (and Others) Can Affect You

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I am sure that you are aware of the Great British Post Office Scandal. It has been described by the Criminal Cases Review Commission as “the most widespread miscarriage of justice ever seen and represents the biggest single series of wrongful convictions in British legal history”. The Post Office is owned by the Government and it is a unique institution … Read more