What is Physical Intervention

Physical Intervention definition :

I have often over the years been asked what is the definition of physical intervention, and the reason why I am asked these questions is because of the confusion that is often out there with so many different explanations given that to be fair it can be quite mind-boggling.

What I am trying to do is to make things simple for people. You see part of the problem is that the information we get today comes from politicians, legislation, high-ranking officials and to be fair the language that is used can be complicated and full of jargon that the average person working in the field of security or care may find difficult to understand.


When I talk about physical intervention it will be in the context of restrictive physical intervention or RPI for short, that  means restricting the movement of a person through physical contact as opposed to mechanical barriers etc


Therefore I will attempt to make it simple for everybody to understand what is the definition of physical intervention.

Here we go:

Physical Intervention Is the minimum application of reasonable and necessary force to physically support a person at the point of physical aggression.

PRIME-Care Training [PCT] 2012

I have worked and trained people within the care sector since 1996. One of the strange things that I have noticed is that far too often we talk about the need to physically hold, detain or retrain a person without having any real understanding of why it is necessary to do just that.

For me the keywords are highlighted above:
MINIMUM, REASONABLE, NECESSARY, SUPPORT.

Hold, detain or restrain is detached from the reason why we as people step out of our comfort zone and do that what we ourselves do not wish to happen to us: hold someone against their will.

Ever asked the question why do we do that ?

The answer is because we care for the people we look after and are responsible for  and that could be working within the care sector whereby we show a duty of care to our clients, peers and the aggressor or working within private security and our duty of care is to our employees, general public to ensure that they are safe and away from harm.

Physical Intervention should never be taken lightly. Used correctly and in line with current legislation it is a necessary tool in our toolbox to help support the vulnerable at times when they need it most.

We should never loose sight of the fact that we are using physically intervention in the best interest of that person, for their safety and that of others.

If you work in the care sector and wish to find out more then click on the link below and visit my site or alternatively visit the site and give me a call, i'll be only too glad to help or give advice.

Jovan Lazic

Visit my PRIME-Care Site