Supporting Those Who Witness Restrictive Practices

As committed, caring professionals working in education or health and social care, our aim is always to reduce the need for unnecessary restraint or other restrictive practices. No matter what our context, we relentlessly seek to achieve this through forging strong relationships, engaging in relational and positive support approaches, promoting de-escalation strategies, and deploying effective risk assessments.

Watch our webinar about reducing restrictive practices.

However, there are times when, as a last resort, we may need to use a physical intervention to reduce risk and keep individuals safe from immediate harm to themselves or others.

Naturally, being subject to restraint and restrictive practices can be hugely upsetting for the individuals directly involved, but we also need to consider the effect on those who witness such incidents.

The impact of witnessing restraint or other restrictive practices

Often, after a physical intervention has been used, support is duly offered to any staff and individuals directly involved, and rightly so: these incidents can be highly distressing, and people need help to move through the recovery and restoration stages. However, the team members carrying out the intervention, along with the individuals being held, are often not the only ones impacted by the incident.

Colleagues, and other individuals within a setting or service, may also witness the restraint or other restrictive practice, which, in turn, can adversely impact their emotional wellbeing and mental health, both in the short- and longer-term. It can also undermine relationships, and potentially damage trust between staff members and the individuals they care for.

With so much at stake, it’s vital to have a robust, planned programme of post-incident support in place, not only for those directly involved, but, just as importantly, for those who witness restrictive practices.

Practical ways to support staff members

Every setting is different, and while there’s no definitive right or wrong way to approach post-incident support for staff, there are steps we can all take to make sure that our colleagues are well supported in light of what they may have witnessed.

1: Take some time out

As busy professionals who often juggle multiple responsibilities, we can sometimes find ourselves heading straight back into our normal daily life and routines after witnessing a distressing event. Faced with a seemingly endless to-do list, we don’t always take the time to acknowledge what has happened and express how difficult it can be to witness such incidents. We might say things like, “I’ll be fine,” or, “It’s just part of the job,” and push it to one side. However, this can minimise the impact that such experiences can have on us, and our mental and emotional wellbeing.

After witnessing an upsetting incident, it’s vital to take some time out to regroup and recover. This might involve going for a walk outside or finding a quiet space to have a cup of tea or do some deep breathing. Heightened feelings and emotions can take a while to recalibrate, so it’s important not to rush this stage.