Talking About Physical Interventions

Supporting someone safely through moments of emotional distress, dysregulation, or crisis is an important responsibility.

By focusing on the ‘95% of Team Teach’, we can endeavour to de-escalate a situation without the need for physical interventions. Using our knowledge of an individual, we can work to spot early signs of dysregulation and intervene promptly, employing a range of de-escalation strategies, such as using calm communication, diverting and distracting, removing the source of frustration, and offering clear choices. Providing proactive support helps us to reduce the use of restrictive practices, something we are all committed to.

Some organisations have identified a potential need for the use of physical interventions, to be used as a last resort to keep people safe.

Knowing how to talk to individuals before, during, and after a physical intervention is essential to maintaining relationships, building trust, promoting recovery, and maximising safety for everyone.

As caring professionals, we are all committed to having respectful, clear, and supportive conversations about physical interventions, keeping an individual’s dignity, voice, and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

Physical interventions: why words matter

Language isn’t just about communication; it’s about relationships. How we speak to someone about challenging moments can either strengthen or damage their trust in us. Physical interventions, when necessary, can be emotionally overwhelming for both the person involved and the staff members, so the way we explain and reflect on these situations is vital.

We also need to be mindful of individuals’ communication needs and preferences and ensure that we are using language that is appropriate for them. This includes considering alternative ways to convey our message and check for understanding. This might involve signing, using picture exchange cards or symbols, or using an AAC device.

Key principles for communication around physical interventions

When we are talking to an individual about physical interventions, we need to keep these key principles front and centre:

Respect:  We need to speak in a way that is age-appropriate, ability-aware, and that always upholds an individual’s dignity.

Clarity: We need to use simple, clear, and direct language that avoids jargon, acronyms, or complicated terminology.

Reassurance: We can be clear that physical interventions are never about punishment, judgement, or blame; rather, they are about keeping everyone safe.

Participation: Including the person as much as possible in planning, reflecting, and decision-making enhances feelings of autonomy and agency, ensuring they feel valued and listened to.