This page provides links to HSE guidance case studies and research, as well as guidance from other organisations on preventing violence in the health and social care sector.
There is more detailed guidance on violence in health and social care.
HSE guidance
Other pages on the HSE website:
Case studies
The following examples are drawn from typical situations to illustrate simple steps that you can take to effectively prevent violence at work.
Research
Research report RR440 – Violence and aggression management training for trainers and managers.
The research was undertaken by the Institute of Work, Health and Organisations, Nottingham University and investigated the effectiveness of training in the management of violence and aggression in healthcare.
Research report RR495 – Violence management training. was done in collaboration with the NHS Security Management Service. This identifies the competencies that make for an effective violence management trainer and reviews the practices and procedures associated with the selection, development and management of trainers.
A competency framework has been developed which identifies the competencies considered necessary for the effective delivery of violence management training, and these are underpinned by a practical tool-kit to help all parties involved in the decision-making process.
Guidance from other organisations
Skills for care
Guidance on restrictive practices including new guidance on workforce development and seeking to minimise the use of restrictive practices in health and social care – A positive and proactive workforce.
Department of Health
The Department of Health have published advice for staff on the use of restrictive interventions for patients with difficult behaviour. Positive and Proactive Care: reducing the need for restrictive interventions (on GOV.UK) provides guidance for adult health and social care staff to develop a culture where restrictive interventions are only ever used as a last resort.
European Social Partners Agreement
Preventing Workplace Harassment and Violence – joint guidance implementing a European social partners' agreement. This guidance was drawn up by the UK organisations represented in EU Social Dialogue to implement the European level framework agreement. It is supported by HSE, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). It is designed for use by both employers and workers. The intention is to provide a guide to the European agreement, practical advice on dealing with harassment and violence at work, and to draw together in one place for the first time information on the key relevant pieces of legislation and support available in the UK.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Partnership Group (HSWPG)
The Health, Safety and Wellbeing Partnership Group (HSWPG) is the health and safety sub group of the NHS Staff Council. The purpose of the group is to raise standards of health, safety and wellbeing in healthcare organisations and to promote best practice across both the NHS and the Independent sector.
HSWPG has a sub-group set up to take forward in partnership an agreed programme of action on violence and aggression. In partnership with NHS Protect, they have produced two publications on improving the safety of lone workers: