Speakers
Gareth Wheeler
Parallel Workshops
This talk outlines the steps that were taken to provide cross-profession tailored support aimed at minimising the need for force in the adult Women’s estate in England and Wales. Inspectorate feedback for two sites in the women’s estate identified issues regarding force relating to ligature and self-harm. Specifically, they identified a need for group level assurance and support surrounding the use of alternative clothing. The response to this was to convene the Managing Women in Crisis Working Group. The group considered the evidence from research, partnered with psychology services, offered sites additional refresher and up-skill training days, and issued new operational guidance. The talk outlines how the new approach was piloted, and the findings from the trial. Initial indications from early adopter sites show the approach resulted in an 88% decrease in the use of alternative clothing, coupled with a 57% decrease in staff assaults and a 60% decrease in use of force incidents (April – August 2024). The implications of the cross-profession working group and tailored support appears to have had an impact beyond the original scope of the aims regarding alternative clothing. Since the additional support was given to the Women’s estate, all force in the women’s estate reduced, with an average of 80 fewer incidents of force per month. The talk concludes by discussing the ongoing support offered to sites, and reflections and learning from this approach, and some of the other challenges we face in supporting women.
