SDJ...Have some stuff for front line ambulance and community response... Drop me a PM and I will contact you to chat through the process I took.. Steve

Behavioural responses resulting in 'violence' from children or adults in social care or education are common. Obviously this kind of physical 'assault' from communication frustration is not the same as assaults from, say, drunk or aggressive people in hospitals or other places open to the general public. I also know that most carers in high care residential environments accept a certain amount of this as an inevitable 'part of the job'. However, it is still incumbent on the employer to do all reasonably practicable, which tends to mean reviewing care plans regularly and doing all that can be done from the reports. The reporting of incidents is important, although you may find resistance to filling in a long form for every slap from particular regulars. A 'five bar gate' type of quick record can be useful where an individual is escalating. The best source of advice is likely to be from others in the social care settings - every LA with a social care remit will have similar problems (although many may now have contracted out). Try your neighbouring councils. There is also a specific organisation (NASHiCS?) for social care who are holding a conference in Manchester on 20th June. There is more on this on the HSE site for social care, although I had to google in the end to find it.

Dear All who responded, I will follow up with PM's where requested and check the websites and neighbouring local authorities as suggested. Thanks very much for all your advice.