‘Change can only be a good thing:’ staff views on the introduction of a harm minimisation policy in a Forensic Learning Disability service

Abstract

Accessible summary • Staff were asked for their views on using harm minimisation with people with a learning disability who self-harm. • Staff felt that this policy could benefit some but not all of the clients. • They felt that staff and clients should be able to choose whether to be involved in using harm minimisation. • Staff were mostly in favour of harm minimisation but were worried about the level of their responsibility. Summary Recent local research about personal experiences of self-injury and discussions about the use of harm minimisation with service users who self-injure were the motivation behind this study to glean staff opinions and advice about the introduction of a harm minimisation policy. An online survey was designed, and all staff were invited by email to take part. The survey used multiple-choice questions as well as providing room for open comments. Eighty-five per cent of the seventy-one staff that responded were in favour of the introduction of a harm minimisation policy. Common requests for inclusion were: clear, individualised guidelines that include roles and responsibilities, staff and client support systems, client education and staff training and advice about duty of care issues. This exercise has been invaluable in the production of a harm minimisation policy. Services should consider implementing this type of policy on an individual basis.