Millfields charter
For a number of years BILD has taken a lead in developing thinking and practice around Physical Interventions, and has published a number of key policy and practice documents, heavily influencing the shape of the DoH/DfES Guidance on Restrictive Physical Interventions published in 2002.
BILD has developed and managed the Physical Interventions Accreditation Scheme for Organisations who deliver Physical Interventions Training, which has been operational for over three years. The scheme was developed based on the Guidance and a BILD developed Code of Practice for Trainers in Physical Interventions.
BILD has not publicly stated its position in regard to specific techniques until now as it was felt the guidance within both The DoH/DfES Guidance and the Code of Practice were clear in their respective messages. However, we believe the publication of the Millfields Charter necessitates a formal statement of BILD’s position.
BILD is committed to minimizing the use of all forms of Physical Intervention. BILD believes in a holistic approach to supporting people with learning disabilities who can present behaviour that challenges. We believe that the emphasis should be placed on equipping staff with the skills and knowledge to work positively with service users to encourage other ways of behaving.
BILD believes that the use of Physical Interventions should be developed within an individual support plan, which includes the development of alternative supportstrategies which minimize the risk of physical interventions being employed.
BILD believes that where Physical Interventions are employed they should be underpinned by the principle of ‘least restrictive physical intervention’ and minimum use of force.
BILD believes that service users have a right to be consulted on the use of strategies and interventions which affect them.
BILD believes that staff should receive appropriate training and monitoring in their use of Physical Interventions on an ongoing basis.
As an accrediting body, BILD have debated long and hard about the appropriate use of specific techniques. Our current approach remains the same in that:
1) Organisations coming forward for accreditation must submit evidence that the techniques they employ are subjected to rigorous assessment of the risks associated with their use by staff and the risks associated with their use on service users. Such assessments must be undertaken by a suitably qualified professional.
2) Techniques shall include only those techniques that comply with legal requirements, national policy guidance and current research (these are clarified in Section 3.4 BILD Code of Practice)
As a consequence, as an accrediting body BILD cannot sign up or support the aims of Millfield Charter which merely seeks to focus on banning solely the prone restraint whereas BILD’s perspective remains to reduce the use of all forms of Physical Interventions.
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Last updated: 30/07/2007