SAFETY & SECURITY Under Attack
Is enough being done to protect the personal safety of care staff and residents asks Allan Aikman, Product Design Manager at Pinpoint.
A study conducted by The University of Stirling found that violence towards care staff is becoming “normalised”, as carers come to accept abuse as “part of the job”. It is not hard to see why; the Labour Force Survey has reported that every 30 minutes a care worker is assaulted in the UK, while a survey by Able Training Support found 71% faced verbal and physical aggression in their job.
These shocking statistics go some way in showing the harm care staff are exposed to at work, the results of which include job dissatisfaction, injury, absenteeism, and departure from the sector.
As the rate of attacks on care workers continues to rise, it’s becoming clear that the existing measures to tackle violent behaviour in care settings are insufficient.
A comprehensive, coordinated strategy that prevents violent incidents from occurring is required to protect care staff.
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Thorough, detailed risk assessments to identify potential threats to safety are essential in high-risk workplaces. For care home settings, this should include, but is not limited to, the dangers posed by individual residents, the risks of lone- working, and the introduction of new staff members.
Aſter all potential risks have been identified, the organisation can begin to implement measures to minimise danger and establish response strategies to deal with violent incidents. In this way risk assessments reduce the chance of a violent incident occurring and, should it happen regardless, allow for a considered, strategic response to aggressive behaviour.
STAFF VIOLENCE TRAINING
Training staff in de-escalation techniques provides care workers with the tools to manage aggressive behaviour in patients and reduce the likelihood of an attack taking place.
De-escalation training covers many elements including appropriate communication, body language and distracting
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activities, as well as surveillance and restraint. It’s critical that staff are competent in de-escalating techniques in order to minimise the risk of harm when faced with an aggressive resident.
STAFF SAFETY SYSTEMS
In some scenarios where de-escalation does not work and the patient is behaving violently, staff must be able to call for assistance quickly and easily. This is where staff safety systems come in.
Reliable, effective staff attack systems ensure that care workers can summon additional support in emergencies. By activating a small, discreet alarm held on their person, care workers notify a response team of the exact location and nature of an incident. As a result, staff feel reassured of their safety and are able to provide a higher level of care. In addition, the knowledge that staff can quickly alert assistance has been seen to reduce aggressive behaviour from residents – reducing the need to call on the response team.
RECORD OF VIOLENCE DATA
Offering staff opportunities to talk openly about a violent incident, express their feelings and provide meaningful support is incredibly important in care settings.
Care workers should feel able to discuss their experiences without fear of recrimination or judgement, and have access to the necessary tools or outlets to feel safe at work.
Recording the circumstances of a violent incident also helps to inform risk assessments and de-escalation training, preventing the chances of a similar incident occurring in the future. It is only by documenting aggressive behaviour that organisations can improve their strategies and provide more robust security solutions for care staff.
Combining all these elements is the most effective means ensure the safe working environment for care staff in the UK.
www.pinpoint.ltd.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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