Clearing the Air

Among the concerns of using physical intervention, several long-standing misconceptions persist, contributing to dangerous misunderstandings and potentially lethal situations. One of the most prevalent misunderstandings is the belief that if someone can talk, they can breathe. This misconception has led to tragic outcomes, particularly in cases involving physical restraint, where individuals have died due to insufficient oxygen intake despite being … 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

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

Protecting Retail Businesses from Shoplifting

According to the Office for National Statistics theft in general has increased with 1.7million offences in the year to June, up ten per cent on the previous period. According to a recent article the Police recorded a total of 365,164 offences as shops and stores are increasingly targeted. Let’s look at the legal aspects of dealing with shoplifting, retail sector … 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

Defending the Right to Self-Defence at Work

Across the scope of employment law, the right to self-defence at work is a critical aspect that needs to be explored in more detail. Let’s delve into the legal foundations that safeguard employees’ rights when defending themselves, the imperative need for personal safety training, and the role of risk assessments in shaping detailed and comprehensive training programmes. Additionally, let’s explore … Read more