Resources

When to refresh your training.

Use of force training is unregulated, so this question comes up constantly. Here is what the HSE has said, how we advise, and how to decide for your own team. Further down: our fact file and due diligence guide for anyone choosing a provider.

Download the article Fact file

Positive handling, use of force, holding, handling and restraint is an unregulated industry. Some providers issue certificates stating that a refresher is only needed every two or three years. That does not mean a person is covered. With no government body setting the standard, the guidance has to come from the most relevant law and legislation, and from what is accepted as best practice.

What the HSE has said

The Health and Safety Executive has previously stated in court that annual refreshers are a sensible measure. Our advice to any organisation with trained staff: refresh at least every 12 months, and sooner when circumstances change, the risk increases or staff take on a new working activity.

Why we wrote it down

The subject comes up so often that Doug Melia wrote a short article on it, Back to the future, some years ago, and recorded a short video on the same question. The article covers when to refresh, the relevant legislation and the responsibilities of the organisation and of every delegate.

Download the article (PDF)

Risk assess it

How can we gauge when to train staff?

Leadership teams and managers should take sensible measures: carry out a risk assessment and decide from it when refresher training is needed. Start by gathering information.

Questions to ask

How do staff feel? What would they like to happen, and is there anything specific they want training on?
Do staff feel confident, and when would they like to refresh?
Has the risk increased?
How often do staff have to intervene?
Have working circumstances changed?
Are there new staff who have had no training at all?

Refresher training

Organisations often refresh only the physical skills. Whatever you decide, carry out a risk assessment and keep it for audit purposes.

If you are not refreshing annually, start the conversation in staff meetings and give the team some continuing professional development on the subject. Our Resources page and the after-course folder, including the Toolbox Talks videos, are there to help.

Resources

Watch the short video

Doug answers the question in a few minutes on our YouTube channel: When to refresh your training.

Safer Handling on YouTube

Questions welcome

If you are unsure where your organisation stands, tell us about your setting and we will come back to you.

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Fact file

Fact file and due diligence guide.

There is no government regulatory body for use of force, positive handling or restraint providers in schools or care. Choosing a training provider can be confusing because of conflicting views. This guide sets out the facts, so you can make your own decision.

Every Safer Handling trainer has a relevant background and holds vocational qualifications awarded by government regulated awarding bodies, not by BILD. Safer Handling is a trading name of Defend Solutions Ltd, based in Preston, Lancashire, delivering in-person training across the UK and internationally.

Who should choose your training provider?

Government guidance is clear that decisions about physical intervention training are best made by individual schools and organisations, based on their own needs. Set out your approach in your policy on the use of force.

“Headteachers have the freedom to use their expert judgement.”

Department for Education correspondence to Doug Melia (Public Communications Unit), following the July 2013 advice on the use of reasonable force for headteachers, staff and governing bodies.

Facts, not opinions

Headteachers and directors have the freedom to use their expert judgement when choosing a provider.
All staff, including volunteers, have the power to use reasonable force. A local authority can recommend a provider, but cannot instruct one.
There is no government body for the use of force or restraint, and the government does not promote training providers.
The headteacher or director is responsible for procuring training.
Codes of practice that remove the rights of staff are, in our view, unlawful.
Training should be bespoke to your client group: age and size appropriate.
Our Level 2 Award, accredited through NFPS, is the only nationally recognised, properly risk assessed course for care and children’s services.

Staff training

Government guidance asks headteachers to consider whether staff need additional training, taking into account the needs of their pupils. The same logic applies to any care or children’s service: start from the people you support, then decide what your team needs.

Accreditation, affiliation and certification

Licensed centre of the National Federation for Personal Safety, IIRSM, LANPAC member since 1996, Expert Witness, and a stakeholder organisation recognised by NICE.

See our accreditation

Not sure which course you need?

Every programme starts with a free Training Needs Analysis. Tell us about your setting and we will put together the right bespoke package.

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