Support for Staff who experienced violence from service users or their carers

Reference: 25-26280

Date response sent: 20/10/2025

Details of enquiry

1. Does your organisation provide support to staff who have experienced violence from service users or their carers?
2. 2: Does your organisation have a policy in place, on how to support staff that have experienced violence from service users or their carers?

Response sent

1. Does your organisation provide support to staff who have experienced violence from service users or their carers?

Yes, and this can be briefly described under the following headings:

1. Prevention

a. Risk assessments are undertaken to assess the situation and environment, with additional measures in place for greater prevalence of violence aggression against staff, Gloucester House has defined procedures, reflective practice, Team Teach training to equip with de-escalation skills.

b. De-escalation training as appropriate

c. Check in procedures for staff who are off site

1. Incident reporting
   1. The Trust has a tool that staff have been trained to use, where incidents are recorded known as Radar (Internal Incident Reporting System) to monitor trends and effectiveness of control measures
   2. Localized procedures are in place whereby staff are supported by the line manager through staff well being and supervision
   3. Staff are also aware that the Police will support when required
2. Staff support

a. Staff received immediate support, debriefing and Referral to Occupational Health

b. Sign posted to Care First

c. Investigations are undertaken where required and further actions followed up

d. Care first which provides a support service for staff on a 24/7 basis.

4. Enforcement

a. Adaptations for vulnerable individuals are considered

b. Warnings and exclusions if deemed necessary

c. Criminal proceedings can also be reported to the police

5. Does your organisation have a policy in place, on how to support staff that have experienced violence from service users or their carers?

a. Yes – The Trust currently has a policy in force entitled ‘Dealing with Violence against Trust Staff Procedure’ – this is attached.

b. A new policy ‘Zero Tolerance Policy against Violence and Aggression’ has been drafted, and will soon be published.

c. In Gloucester House (the Trust’s Special School for children), where there is the highest risk of violence and aggression against staff, they have a separate procedure, of reflective practice, Team Teach Training, to equip staff with de-escalation skills.  This is attached.