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

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

Elevating and Setting Standards in Aggressive Behaviour Management

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

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

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

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?

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

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

What Type of Incidents Do You Report?

We use well known phrases like the Health & Safety Executives (HSE) definition of work-related violence… Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work, whether the behaviours are explicit or implicit in nature or design, is a reportable incident. What does the HSE’s Definition Mean to You? These incidents are not … Read more

Enhancing Workplace Safety through Training

Workplace safety is of paramount importance in today’s society. Ensuring the safety and well-being of employees not only protects individuals but also has far-reaching benefits for individuals, organisations and communities. Here are some of the was that becoming an NFPS Ltd BTEC Level 3 Physical Restraint qualified Trainer benefits workplace safety today. The provision of a secure environment for employees … Read more

Reporting Your Version of the Truth

Conflict prevention, management, and physical intervention training are vital skills for individuals working in sectors where conflicts may arise, such as security, law enforcement, and healthcare, etc. These training programmes not only teach techniques for defusing potentially dangerous situations but also cover the legal aspects of using force and the crucial skill of incident report writing. The effectiveness of the … Read more