This physical restraint awareness eLearning course is designed for:

• Care home staff

• Dementia care workers

• Allied health professionals

• Mental health professionals

• Nurses and nursing assistants

• Learning disability nurses and support workers

• Social workers supporting vulnerable individuals with mental health issues, learning disabilities, and elderly care

• Healthcare managers and administrators overseeing policy, training, and compliance

• Community health workers providing in-home care for individuals with complex needs

• Palliative care workers managing patient agitation and distress

• Volunteers in care settings requiring awareness of restraint protocols and de-escalation techniques.

This online physical restraint awareness course covers the following:

Introduction to physical restraint

• Understand the definition and types of physical restraint, including manual and mechanical restraint.

Ethical and legal considerations

• Explore ethical principles such as necessity, dignity, individual rights, and consent in restraint use.

• Learn key legislation governing physical restraint, including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Health and Social Care Act.

• Understand the importance of thorough documentation and justification for restraint use.

Practical restraint techniques

• Learn safe manual restraint techniques and appropriate use of mechanical restraints.

• Develop proficiency in risk assessment and decision-making protocols before applying restraint.

De-escalation techniques

• Master verbal persuasion and effective communication strategies to de-escalate situations.

• Utilise distraction and relaxation methods as alternatives to physical restraint.

• Implement environmental adjustments to reduce agitation and prevent the need for restraint.

Training and competence

• Recognise the importance of proper training and certification in restraint techniques.

• Engage in continuous education and skill practice to maintain competence.

• Ensure compliance with NICE guidelines and CQC standards for safe and ethical restraint use.

Risk management and monitoring

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments before using restraint.

• Ensure continuous monitoring and review during restraint to safeguard individuals.

• Allocate adequate staffing and resources for effective risk management.

Documentation and accountability

• Emphasise the need for thorough documentation of all restraint instances.

• Justify restraint decisions with clear records to ensure transparency.

• Adhere to legal standards and maintain accountability in restraint practices.

The aims of this online physical restraint awareness training course are to:

• Equip healthcare professionals with a deep understanding of physical restraint's ethical, legal, and practical considerations. This will ensure they can apply restraint techniques responsibly and effectively, prioritising safety and dignity.

• Develop proficiency in decision-making and practical skills for de-escalation and restraint, enhance compliance with regulatory standards, and promote the use of least restrictive options to protect individuals under care.

This physical restraint awareness e-learning course will:

• Detail the legislative framework and guidelines that govern physical restraint in health and social care settings, focusing on key legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Health and Social Care Act.

• Examine the ethical considerations involved in using restraint, including maintaining dignity, choosing the least restrictive options, and upholding the rights of individuals under care.

• Demonstrate safe and effective techniques for applying manual and mechanical restraints, ensuring that staff are proficient in minimising risk and maintaining patient safety.

• Teach risk assessment strategies and decision-making protocols to determine when restraint is necessary and appropriate, incorporating multidisciplinary team inputs and comprehensive situational analysis.

• Provide training in de-escalation techniques, offering alternatives to physical restraint, such as verbal persuasion, relaxation methods, and environmental adjustments, to prevent conflict escalation.

• Ensure thorough documentation and justification practices for every instance of restraint use, emphasising transparency and accountability to align with legal and ethical standards.

Upon completing this online physical restraint awareness training course, learners will be equipped to:

• Identify and explain vital legal frameworks governing the use of physical restraint, including the Mental Health Act, the Mental Capacity Act, and the Health and Social Care Act regulations, ensuring their actions comply with current laws.

• Apply ethical considerations in physical restraint, focusing on dignity, autonomy, informed consent, and communication to respect individuals' rights and well-being.

• Demonstrate proficiency in both manual and mechanical restraint techniques, ensuring safe application that minimises risk and distress to individuals.

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to evaluate the necessity of restraint and explore less restrictive alternatives before its application.

• Use de-escalation techniques to manage and reduce conflicts without physical restraint, including verbal persuasion, environmental adjustments, and tactical withdrawal.

• Accurately document and justify the use of restraint in clinical practice, providing a clear record that details the decision-making process and adherence to legal and ethical standards.

This physical restraint awareness e-learning course is externally peer-reviewed and accredited by the CPD Certification Service, ensuring it meets the highest standards. Upon completion, participants will receive a CPD certificate valid for 3 years that complies with the HealthTrust Europe (HTE), Crown Commercial Services (CCS), and NHS Collaborative Procurement Partnership (CPP) frameworks.

This course is crucial as it equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to apply physical restraint ethically and safely, prioritising dignity and least restrictive measures. It ensures compliance with legislative frameworks such as the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act, enhancing decision-making in high-stress situations and promoting effective de-escalation techniques to prevent the need for restraint, thereby ensuring the well-being and rights of individuals in health and social care settings.

Physical Restraint Awareness - Level 1  | ComplyPlus LMS™ | The Mandatory Training Group UK -