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

Safeguarding Schools across the Scottish Borders and Beyond

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

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

Breaking News – A Person Being Restrained Now Can’t Die from Excited Delirium!

As reported in the New York Times on the 11th October 2023, “California has become the first US state to ban the use of “excited delirium” as a cause of death, rejecting a term that prominent medical associations have said is rooted in bias and is often used to justify the deaths of people in police custody”. The New York … Read more

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Systems in Managing Stress

Following on from yesterdays LinkedIn post Stress, let’s look into how and why the network of nerves sends messages to parts of the body. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together, delicately balancing our physiological reactions to external stimuli. These systems, sometimes described as the gas and brake pedals of our body, play a crucial role in maintaining equilibrium … 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

Preventing Violence to Shopworkers Today and Everyday

Violence against shop workers is a pervasive issue. According to a survey conducted by the British Retail Consortium, there were around 455 incidents of violence or abuse towards retail staff each day in the UK. That means there are over 160,000+ reported incidents per year, that’s before we start thinking about the un-reported incidents. Why are some (lots according to … Read more

Survey on Pupil Behaviour

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) is a teacher trade union representing over 80% of all teachers across nursery, primary and secondary education in Scotland. They launched the Stand Up for Quality Education (SU4QE) campaign at their AGM in June 2023. The campaign has 3 key priority areas which call for: Build the skills, resources and school culture to address … Read more

Workplace Safety – Whose Responsibility?

In today’s dynamic and hectic work environments, ensuring the health and safety of employees must be of paramount importance for employers. The Health & Safety Executive previously produced data in 2020 that outlined the prevalence of aggression and violence affecting businesses and workforces across the UK. Approximately 688,000 incidents of aggression and violence were reported in the workplace in England … Read more

Understanding Physical Intervention: Techniques and Training

Physical intervention plays a critical role in various sectors, including healthcare, education, security and other work-related sectors. It involves the use of techniques to manage potentially dangerous situations and ensure the safety of all parties involved. In this article, we will delve into the concept of physical intervention, explore examples of its application, discuss the main types of physical intervention, … Read more