CONTROL AND RESTRAINT TRAINING

This course offers a comprehensive and professional training for the handling of persons who exhibit violent or unmanageable behaviour.

Completion of this course will offer staff a system of working in teams which will enable them to safely contain and restrain such a client. The techniques taught are all recognised techniques, which are aimed at maximising the safety of all concerned, and which will aim to protect the dignity of the client involved.

Great emphasis is placed upon responding to episodes of violence or disturbed behaviour at an appropriate level, and avoiding the tendency for those untrained in such techniques to overreact, or to use an unnecessary amount of force.

Similarly, much attention is paid to ensuring that staff continue to communicate with their client during such episodes, and the training is geared towards constant efforts to de-escalate a crisis, both before and during the hands-on stage of the control process.

WHAT IS CONTROL AND RESTRAINT?

In the early 80's there was widespread concern over growing violence within penal establishments, and an urgent solution was sought. The Physical Education branch of the prison service was asked to develop a structured system of controlling and restraining violent inmates. The techniques developed were solely approved for use in prisons.

However, following the death of a patient at Rampton Special Hospital, a review of the ways in which violent patients were managed was undertaken. It became apparent that, with many adaptations, the techniques developed by the Prison Service could be incorporated into the Health Service. Various disciplines were asked to give their expertise, and after input from medical and legal professionals, a new system of control and restraint techniques was developed. Many refinements were made, taking into account issues of safety, legality, and methodology.

Over the last few years, C&R techniques have become increasingly sophisticated, and are now employed widely in law enforcement, Healthcare, and Security. There is great emphasis on the duty of care, and of the maintenance of dignity for clients, and staff are taught to use such techniques sensitively, and as a last resort.

Before the option to use C&R techniques became available, various methods of managing violence or disturbed behaviour existed in psychiatric hospitals or other care settings. Policies varied in structure or content, and most methods had the definite risk of physical or mental trauma being sustained by staff or patients.

A common scenario would involve large numbers of big male staff struggling with such a patient, and eventually pinning that person to the floor by sheer weight of numbers.

The whole incident would be likely to be unprofessional, and would be very distressing for the patient. Recognised C&R techniques allow staff to work quietly and professionally in teams, and to safely contain such incidents. Control of the incident is assumed by the leader of this team, and the patient is quickly immobilised and prevented from causing further harm. The team have the option of restraining the patient standing, on the ground, or of moving them to another suitable room or location, to minimise further stimuli etc.

The techniques taught also cover moving people up and down stairs, in and out of vehicles, and isolating them if appropriate. Safety-Tec will carry out an on site assessment prior to the course commencement to assess what special considerations need to be taken into account. For example steep stairwells, alcohol consumption by clients, narrow doorways, communication systems, staffing numbers, lighting conditions, and a review of the safety statement.

The techniques taught are:

(1) Designed for use by staff of both sexes.
(2) An addition to existing clinical and professional skills.
(3) Techniques that do not preclude psychological methods of managing violence.
(4) A method of resolving violence, and reducing the risk of injury to all concerned.
(5) A method of ensuring that only the minimum number of staff necessary to deal with an incident is used.
(6) Quick, efficient, and safe.
(7) Used as a last resort.
(8) Internationally recognised techniques.

C&R techniques also give all staff involved a specific role, and avoid confusion. They tend to instil confidence in staff, and allow them to react to situations without using excessive force, or experiencing undue anxiety.

Safety-Tec can deliver C&R training in many different settings. Each course is individually tailored to meet our client’s needs, be it in Security, Healthcare, or Leisure.
The course is run over a one or a two day period depending on our clients needs. The Safety-Tec instructor is a fully qualified C&R instructor who has also instructed C&R techniques to both Prison Officers and Gardai.

Upon successful completion of the course candidates are issued with a certificate.
Further information can be obtained on this course by contacting our office.
Please note that this is a site specific course and each course is redesigned to suit our client.