New Peer Network – Minimizing Restrictive Practice

In March 2023, the Department of Health launched the Regional Policy on the use of Restrictive Practices in Health and Social Care Settings.  In September, providers of learning disability services explained to ARC NI that they are committed to the vision to minimise restrictive practices but that they felt the policy could be clearer and that there were some difficulties with putting the policy into practice.  We have been sharing our thoughts with the Department of Health, regulator RQIA and the Health & Social Care Trusts.

We believe in the power of peer support to connect people with similar responsibilities, create a safe space to talk and share practice and mobilise a collective voice to improve change.  So we have set up a new network to bring those responsible for minimization of restrictive practices within organisations together.  In our experience this is a very successful way to raise the quality of practice, explore new and alterative ideas and support policy makers and regulators to understand the opportunities and challenges of a policy in practice.

For more information about all the networks we offer click here.