Physical Intervention policy
Part 3 - Delivery and Review
Part 3 - Delivery and Review
3.1 Responsibility for Policy Review
3.2 Monitoring and Performance Responsibilities
3.3.1 Staff Training and Performance
3.1 Responsibility for Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed by the Health and Safety Team of Social Services.
3.2 Monitoring and Performance Responsibilities
Managers are responsible for ensuring that all staff have received thorough induction and basic skills training in the work setting, before being required to work with people who present challenging behaviours. Staff who are expected to employ physical interventions will require additional more specialised training, as outlined in the relevant section of the Physical Intervention Training Policy and Guidance. The nature and extent of the training will depend upon the characteristics of the people who may require a physical intervention, the behaviours they present and the responsibilities of individual members of staff.
Trainers need to be familiar with the General Services Control and Restraint guidelines, and with the British Institute of Learning Disabilities 'Code of Practice for Trainers in Physical Interventions', providing an underlying value system for physical intervention use.
3.3.1 Staff Training and Performance
Training needs to be provided by an instructor with appropriate experience and qualifications, and staff should only use physical interventions they are trained in.
The education and training that should be provided for managing service users should not be limited solely to Physical Intervention Techniques. It is essential to recognise that staff require a repertoire of knowledge and skills to manage behaviour effectively, wherever possible without using physical interventions. Hence training needs to:
- Make explicit reference to values which underpin work with vulnerable people, and that use of Physical Interventions must not compromise those values.
- Maintain positive values whilst working with people who challenge.
- Establish legal responsibilities and protection for people who use services.
- Outline policy contents.
- Outline strategies for using primary prevention (managing setting, build-ups) and secondary prevention (de-escalation).
- Teach the principles of least restrictive intervention, and gradient of control.
As such staff need to know:
- How to develop positive behaviours.
- Protocols for teamwork and collaboration with other professionals.
- Record keeping and reporting procedures.
The Care Standards Commission will monitor the implementation of these procedures and guidance within the terms of the Care Standards regulations. To help protect the interests of service users who are exposed to physical interventions, it is good practice to involve family, carers and independent advocates in planning, monitoring and reviewing physical intervention use.
Use of physical interventions will also be monitored across the County. Quarterly reports will be forwarded to senior management reviewing and evaluating these incidents. Appropriate recommendations will be made to senior management where there is need for this.
Local service providers and units will monitor their use of physical interventions, look for trends, and work to devise strategies that can minimise use of interventions, or make them safer for staff or service users.
