physical restraint

Elearning : managing risk, minimising restraint : challenges, dilemmas and positive approaches : for working with older people in care homes

This learning activity is a Social Care Institute for Excellence SCIE e-learning resource. These elearning resources are freely available to all. They provide audio, video and interactive technology to assist in exploring the nature of managing risk and minimising restraint when working with older people in care homes. The resources also support learning and teaching for the Health and Social Care Diploma, levels 3 and 4. Resource published in 2009.

SCIE report 26: restraint in care homes for older people: a review of selected literature

Staff in care homes for older people can be confused as to what constitutes restraint, and unsure how to balance their responsibilities to residents with the rights of residents to make their own decisions. This report is based on a selection of literature that addresses these questions, as well as considering how, when and why restraint is used. Report published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in October 2009.

Decision-making processes

This resource explores: how staff, residents and relatives view of risk and risk-taking will influence decisions about restraint; how making good decisions about restraint is more likely if care staff are positive, show teamwork, keep good records, are aware of the alternatives to restraint and have some basic knowledge of the law on restraint; and how a careful five-step process can help when making difficult decisions about restraint: observe, do some detective work, come to a collective decision, implement and review the plan.

Exploring restraint

This resource explores the ideas that: restraint can be a difficult issue in care homes, and the word means different things to different people; there are many different types of restraint, ranging from active physical interventions to failing to assist a person; minimising the use of restraint is important, but sometimes it will be the right thing to do; and knowing the individual, valuing the views of relatives and working as a team will help reduce the need for restraint.

Disabled people's costs of living

It is well known that disabled people face additional costs to enable them to meet their needs. However, there has been no clear evidence about the true extent of these costs. This research, conducted by the Centre for Research in Social Policy with the support of Disability Alliance, presents budget standards for groups of disabled people who have different needs arising from physical or sensory impairments.