If there is any indication or suspicion that anyone has suffered an injury or psychological trauma following the incident / use of physical intervention they must receive treatment and support as soon as is reasonably possible.

Debriefing is misused as a term, and while analysis is important in a Positive Behaviour Support framework, your D.ESCAL8™ facilitator discussed these two areas and the differences between debriefing and offloading.

Offloading - a subsection of de-briefing

• Should not be used to apportion blame or to punish either the individual or staff.
• Is about offloading the emotion through sharing the story.
• Both the individual and the staff members must be given separate opportunities to talk and express their feelings about the incident in a calm, safe and confidential environment - but only when they feel ready to do so.

• Witnesses, such as other cared for individuals, will also need support through offloading and debriefing.

We work in challenging environments and these cause distress to individuals on both sides of the carer / cared for relationship. Offloading is a vital component in the ability of the carer to support and develop positive relationships with individuals in all stages of distress.

Evolving this practice in a professional manner will mature relationships within the organisation, fostering trust and bonding throughout. This will lead to an increased tolerance of behaviour and therefore a better quality of service received by the individual, which leads in turn to a  deepening of their relationship with the carer.

We talk about the need for separation of offloading emotional support from debriefing and the restraint reduction network training standards on post incident review