Certificate in Reducing Restrictive Practices

Applications for May 2024 are now open

The unnecessary use of restrictive practices infringes on human rights and cause trauma and distress. We are pleased to provide these qualifications, helping those who are committed to restraint reduction learn the skills to achieve their goals.

Qualification details

BTEC Level 4
Certificate in Reducing Restrictive Practices

This is the first certificate-level qualification in restraint reduction available in the UK. It is designed for people who work in services, and who have direct influence on the quality of people’s lives.

The course is based around the six core strategies of restraint reduction, and will enable learners to build an understanding of what capable, least restrictive, person-centred environments are, why they are important, and how to create them.

Course content is delivered with high-quality blended eLearning, including videos and downloadable assessments. Progress will be assessed via offline workplace assignments that allow learners to put their knowledge into direct practice. Learners will also develop their own holistic restraint reduction plan, tailored for an identified focus person who receives support.

This is a human rights focused qualification, co-designed and co-delivered by people with lived experience of restrictive practices. It is an excellent fit with current UK policy, and will have direct impact on improving services and people’s lives. Regular tutor support will be provided in small groups of up to six learners.

What is involved?

There are 180 learning hours in the Certificate. It carries 18 credits. The time given to complete this course (3 units) is 10 months.

Learning hours involve a mixture of online self-directed activities, most of which learners can work through at their own pace, and at a time to suit them. These activities include webinars, films, reading, and interactive activities. There will also be practice-based activities – such as assessments and case studies – plus online group and individual tutorials, allowing a chance for discussion, plus reflection on new knowledge and skills, and work presentations.

What will you learn?

There are three units that learners must complete to gain the Certificate:

1. Principles of Restrictive Practice Reduction

Unit 1 provides the underpinning theory and knowledge that will enable learners to understand the impact of restrictive practice, the range of restrictive practices, and the conditions in which restrictive practices are likely to be used. It introduces the six core strategies of restraint reduction and the human rights context for reducing all restrictive practices. The principle of only using the least restrictive practice will be explored and operationalised throughout the course content.
After completing this unit, learners will be able to explain to others, with practice-based examples, how restraints and other restrictive practices can be reduced at individual and service levels. The learner will also be able to make informed recommendations that improve quality of life, and provide the least restrictive environment.

2. Providing Capable Environments

Unit 2 gives learners the underpinning knowledge and skills needed to contribute towards implementing capable environments. Capable environments are supportive, and enable people to thrive by meeting their physical and psychosocial needs. These environments also maintain and enhance quality of life with a focus on support strategies that are associated with the reduction of behaviours that challenge services and can lead to restrictions.

Understanding and implementing a person-centred capable environment is an essential part of any systematic approach towards improving wellbeing for vulnerable people and their carers. Many aspects of capable environments represent good practice that is applicable to all people. If a service is able to meet the needs of a person and provide the support they need to thrive, the likelihood of unnecessary restrictive practices being used – or specialist care and out-of-area placement being needed – is reduced. This unit covers communication and choice, rapport and relationships, sensory preferences, physical and emotional wellbeing, trauma-informed support, low arousal practices, and active support.

3. Developing a Person-Centred Reduction Plan

Unit 3 will give learners the knowledge and skills they need to audit restrictive practices and develop an individual restrictive practice reduction plan for a focus person. The audit will identify any restrictive practices that are being applied to the focus person, and investigate the rationale for them. Using knowledge of the six core strategies of restraint reduction, the learner will develop a person-centred restrictive practice reduction plan. They will implement elements of this reduction plan, evaluate the impact, and consider the results to improve future practice.

Fees

For individuals:

A cohort (group of six learners from the same organisation who go through the qualification together):

RRN member: £4,794 + VAT
Non member: £5,280 + VAT

Apply now for May 2024

Click here to download the fillable application form*. Please return your application form to qualifications@bild.org.uk. Please include your name in the title bar and which qualification you are applying for. Thank you!

• Start date: 7 May 2024
• Final payment date: 28 March 2024

The time given to complete this course (3 units) is 10 months.

Please note this qualification does not include within it curriculum learning linked to technical skills to carry out any restrictive interventions or restraints and therefore it is not certified against the RRN Training Standards. The qualification is not an alternative or replacement for certified training, where required.

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*The RRN reserves the right to close applications early if we receive a higher number of applications than expected.