The Department and National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) are committed to the accreditation of training and regulation of trainers in the prevention and management of aggression and violence and are currently working to ensure the introduction of an effective accreditation system as soon as is practicable.
The NIMHE issued the positive practice standards “Developing Positive Practice to Support the Safe and Therapeutic Management of Aggression and Violence in Mental Health In-patient Settings” in 2004. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published guidelines in 2005 entitled “Short-term Management of Violence and Disturbed Behaviour in Psychiatric In-patient Settings and Emergency Departments”. These guidelines state that all service providers should have a policy for training in physical intervention that specifies the frequency and level of training required.
On 8 February, consultation ended on definitive guidance by NIMHE, reflecting feedback on the two previous publications, entitled “The National Minimum Standards for the Safe and Therapeutic Management of Aggression and Violence in Mental Health In-patient Settings”. Responses to this consultation are being considered.
The NHS Security Management Service has developed training for all NHS staff in mental health and learning disabilities settings entitled “The Promoting Safer and Therapeutic Services Training Programme!. This does not include training in physical intervention techniques.