Respect Training Celebrates Successful Three-Year Re-Certification Against Restraint Reduction Network Standards
We're delighted to share that we've been recognised for our commitment to person-centred care and restraint reduction.
We've successfully achieved re-certification as a Certified Training Service by the BILD Association of Certified Training (ACT) for a further three years. This esteemed recognition validates our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, trauma-informed training that prioritises dignity, safety, and person-centred approaches.
The rigorous certification process took approximately one year to complete and involved a comprehensive assessment of our training curricula, observation of our senior trainers and affiliate organisations, and a detailed panel review. Importantly, the assessment panel included people with lived experience, ensuring that the evaluation reflects real-life perspectives.
BILD ACT is a UK charity licensed to certify training services that comply with the Restraint Reduction Network Training Standards, representing the gold standard in ethical and effective restraint reduction training.
During the panel discussion, our team had the opportunity to share our philosophy, way of working, and developments since our last certification. We are pleased that the assessors responded so positively to what we presented. Here are some of the highlights that particularly resonated with the panel:
Our philosophy
We demonstrated our commitment to reducing unnecessary restraint through proactive, preventative strategies. We currently support a number of affiliate organisations across diverse settings, including learning disability services, autism services, acute hospitals, brain injury units, residential care, and supported living environments. Since our last recertification, we've delivered over 150 courses, consistently emphasising early intervention, person-centred planning, and trauma-informed care.
We shared our training philosophy, which focuses on equipping staff with only the techniques relevant to their specific needs. We explained how we avoid unnecessary training in restrictive interventions unless genuinely required by the populations they serve. This forward-thinking approach ensures that organisations are empowered to create calmer, more therapeutic environments where crisis episodes are reduced through understanding and relationship-building rather than physical intervention.
Embedding lived experience and trauma-informed practice
We’ve developed dedicated modules that integrate insights from a young individual with lived experience of restraint, and our updated training continues to reflect the valuable perspective of our long-standing Expert by Experience (EBE).
We outlined to the assessors how we've enhanced trauma-informed care content across all our courses, with dedicated modules exploring trauma responses, the impact of adverse childhood experiences, and practical exercises that encourage attendees to reflect on trauma in those they support. Our training also emphasises the importance of rapport-building between staff and service users, while acknowledging that staff members themselves may have experienced trauma and need appropriate support.
Driving cultural change across organisations
The panel was keen to understand the real-world impact of our work, and we were able to share evidence of how our approach extends beyond individual skill development to transform organisational cultures. Our affiliate organisations have increasingly embraced the shift toward proactive and preventative approaches, with leadership commitment proving crucial to success. Reductions in both the frequency and severity of incidents have been shared with us, alongside improved therapeutic relationships and calmer care environments.
Read our blog on embedding a culture of proactive prevention
We presented a case study from an affiliate organisation that demonstrates the real-world impact of this cultural transformation, with some service users experiencing significant reductions in crisis episodes following the implementation of person-centred, trauma-informed approaches.
Our commitment to quality and continuous improvement
The assessors examined our robust quality assurance processes, including peer reviews, annual recertification requirements for our trainers, and comprehensive portfolios and self-reflections. We shared how we've recently reformed our evaluation processes, introducing streamlined feedback forms that generate more actionable insights and better track training impact.
We also discussed how our quarterly affiliate meetings have been restructured to be more interactive and valuable, fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration across our network.
Looking to the future
The re-certification panel commended our practices and recommended that we continue to share our expertise with the wider sector through conferences, workshops, and other collaborative opportunities. With this three-year certification secured (subject to successful annual review), we remain dedicated to advancing restraint reduction, promoting dignity in care, and supporting organisations to create environments where every individual is treated with respect and compassion.
Members of the Respect team have also been involved in external initiatives, including speaking engagements at safeguarding conferences and participation in sector steering groups, demonstrating our commitment to shaping best practice across the health and social care sector.
We're incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful to our dedicated team, our affiliate organisations, and everyone who has contributed to our success.
Ready to learn more about our person‑centred, trauma‑informed training? Get in touch with our team today to explore how Respect Training can support your organisation in reducing restraint and building calmer, more compassionate care environments.