Turning Point Scotland have delivered Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Verbal and Safety Interventions course for many years to ensure delivery of content that is safe, in line with current research and in line with Turning Point Scotland values of Respect, Compassion, Integrity and Inclusion. However, accreditation with the RRN in addition means that the training we deliver is in line with their standards: The Restraint Reduction Network Training Standards are a set of ethical training standards that protect human rights and support the elimination of unnecessary restrictive practices.
Furthermore, this shows Turning Point Scotland’s commitment to reduce the use of using restrictive physical interventions (holding) in our services and where we have to use holds, we do so in a safe way that protects the person’s rights and dignity.
Turning Point Scotland strived to be affiliated with the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) to safeguard that Turning Point Scotland work to the standards set by the RRN. For this, a Restraint Reduction Oversight group was established. The core roles within the group were:
- Head of Clinical & Care Governance (Chair)
- Health and Safety Manager
- Training and Development Officer
- Quality and Audit Manager
- Positive Behaviour Support Service Manager
- Service Manager
The principal objective for the Restraint Reduction Oversight group is to ensure Turning Point Scotland’s practice, policies, training and culture is committed to the Restraint Reduction and affirm this is in line with the organisations core values and Citizenship framework. The Oversight group worked to identify trends across the organisation and future training interventions as needs arise as well as looking at the resources required to maintain and develop the work.
This was a thorough process and took around 6 months to gather evidence of what was in place and to create an action plan for implementation. The action plan consisted of areas such as:
- Training Needs Analysis for every team who used holding when supporting people with distressing and risk behaviour – this ensured we were delivering the holding training to the right teams and that our training will be more focused on the skills and the team need
- Reviewed and updated the Restraint policy -now called the Restraint Reduction policy
- Provided evidence that our internal CPI trainers were qualified in social care and or training, held an in-date emergency first aid certificate, had peer reviews of their training practice and held up to date CPI certification
The certification accredited by the RRN means that we are able to evidence that we work in a person-centred, trauma-informed way and that we uphold our core values. Affiliation is granted due to our commitment to delivering training in accordance with the RRN Training Standards.
Mandy Ramsay, Head of Clinical and Care Governance says, “We delivered training to staff to upskill them to support people either using verbal interventions, disengagements and/or holding. Proactive strategies, verbal interventions and disengagements being used effectively by staff means that we are able to de-escalate and ensure everyone’s safety therefore are less reliant on the use of holding.”
Turning Point Scotland received excellent feedback after submitting the evidence and will continue to review this for yearly accreditation.
Well done to all involved.