SAFEWARDS
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Safewards is a model and set of interventions designed to reduce conflict and containment (restrictive practices) in psychiatric in-patient settings. It was developed by Professor Len Bowers and his team at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London. The Safewards model is based on the idea that conflicts (such as aggression, self-harm, or medication refusal) and containment (such as seclusion, restraint, or enforced medication) arise from the interaction between staff and patients, and can be reduced by improving the quality of these interactions.Â
Building upon her lived experience as a mental health nurse, our resident expert Lisa Spong has spent over 10 years helping institutions across Australia adopt Safewards through in-person training and consultancy. Lisa has also been a prolific advocate for Safewards, speaking at various conferences around Australia and was co-chair of the Safewards Victoria Community of Practice for 7 years.​
OUR CLIENTS
FEATURED COURSE
SAFEWARDS FOR GENERAL HEALTH
LISA SPONG
Equip yourself with the foundational knowledge of the Safewards model, tailored specifically for nurses and security staff in general health settings. This online course provides practical strategies to proactively reduce conflict and aggression, fostering a safer environment for both patients and staff.
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OUR SAFEWARDS SERVICES
TRAINING
We offer comprehensive in-person training through an engaging one-day introductory course, as well as a more extensive two-day deep-dive workshop. Additionally, we provide convenient train-the-trainer options that allow you to empower others within your organisation with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
POLICY REVIEW
We provide expert consultation services that focus on aligning your existing policies and procedures to the innovative Safewards framework. Our experienced team is here to ensure that your organisation seamlessly integrates the best practices for safety and care, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your approach.
MENTORING
For more acute and challenging situations, we provide tailored 1:1 mentoring at both the leadership and frontline levels. This personalised approach helps us to effectively guide our clients through a successful and sustainable deployment of the innovative Safewards program.
GET IN TOUCH
If you are interested in exploring the deployment of the innovative Safewards model or if you are simply seeking a comprehensive refresher on its key concepts, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for more information.