Dealing with violence and aggression for lone workers should be fairly straightforward. There are only a few basic principles to consider – for example, don’t be there, leave if you need to, risk assess and share information, don’t do what you’re not trained or equipped to do, why people get hostile and how to avoid escalating aggression in the first place. The problem is that so many other factors get in the way.

Most serious incidents in health & social care result from the neglect of these basic principles. That’s why the first part of the day outlines the basics and the last part returns to them to reinforce the point (‘firsts’ and ‘lasts’ are often most memorable in training).

The course includes a step by step process of diffusing aggression that complements (not opposes) the aggressor’s natural freeze, flight or fight response. Developed in practice it is both straightforward and extremely effective. The process is based upon the principle that people only escalate their hostility if they think they’re not being taken seriously (invalidated).

Please note that this course does not include techniques

for restraint or other physical interventions.

The course covers:

What is risk & how is it assessed?

Nanny state or ‘reasonable’, managed exposure to hazards?

Causes of hostility

The role of workers and others in creating and maintaining aggression

Four main themes (invalidation, learned behaviour, dislike, defence)

The physiology of aggression – what it does and how to spot it building

What does the law say?

Record, communicate, co-operate

What to do when faced with aggression

Not everything needs a response.

How to diffuse aggression step by step

Safety first.

Warnings from practice: Ashleigh Ewing & Jonathon Newby

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