Mid Yorkshire’s security team wins national award for outstanding training initiative

Pictured L-R: Keith Sheard, Violence and Aggression Reduction Trainer, Lee Rayner, Acting Deputy Protective Services Manager, Helen Collins, Director of Operations - Division of Infrastructure , Adam Hare, Acting Head of Protective Services, Adrian Evans, Violence and Aggression Reduction Lead Trainer

The security team at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust (MYTT) has been recognised at the prestigious Workplace Violence Reduction Awards, winning the Outstanding Training Initiative award for their innovative Violence and Aggression Reduction Training programme.

The training initiative, which began as a pilot in 2022, was developed in-house by the security team after identifying the need for a more tailored approach to supporting staff in difficult situations.

Following an 18-month trial, the programme was formally rolled out and has been running successfully since.

The training, which has been incredibly popular with staff, raises awareness of how to address and de-escalate both verbal and physical conflict, while supporting staff to understand the behaviours and emotions of others, particularly those experiencing trauma in hospitals, which can often be naturally stressful environments.

The training aims to give staff the skills and confidence to manage challenging situations in a safe and compassionate way.

Courses are continuously adapted based on real feedback gathered from staff, and are tailored to reflect the different roles and environments across the Trust. The team also work closely with external partners, including the police, and attend regular violence and aggression meetings to keep the training in line with current trends and risks.

Mark Braden, Chief Infrastructure Officer at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, said:

“This is a fantastic achievement and the team should be incredibly proud of their work.

“Winning this award, which spans a wide range of sectors beyond just the NHS, highlights the exceptional quality and innovation of our training programme. It’s clear that this initiative is making a significant impact, not only within our Trust but also setting a benchmark for others to follow.

“The dedication and expertise of our security team are instrumental in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our staff, patients, and visitors. This recognition is a testament to their hard work and commitment to excellence.”

The Violence and Aggression Reduction Training has so far trained over 2,000 staff, with results showing the programme is having a positive impact across the Trust.

Judges praised the teams’ methodical approach, with excellent results and clear links to the wider organisational strategy, making it a “textbook case of Workplace Violence Reduction”.

The award-winning initiative forms part of MYTT’s wider strategy to tackle violence and aggression within healthcare settings, to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors across all Trust sites.