Protecting the Vulnerable - Suicide Prevention Ed 2.0

Protecting the Vulnerable Suicide Prevention

Operational Guidance and Advice

This document is designed to assist you in detecting, delaying and / or deterring vulnerable individuals, including those who have an intent to self-harm and may unintentionally cause harm to others. It is intended to guide you when determining appropriate and proportionate mitigation.

The document covers the following:

— Vulnerable Person Review and Action Plan

— Potential Solutions

— Staff Briefing / Employee and Partner Support

— Communicating with the Public

— Health & Wellbeing

Protecting the Vulnerable Suicide Prevention

Vulnerable Person Review and Action Plan

A site review should be undertaken, outlining the nature and context of the asset including occupier and visitor profile, previous incidents, itemisation of potentially vulnerable locations, current mitigations, and finally an action plan for improvements split between management and material measures. This plan should be regularly reviewed and updated.

Risk assessment form example

Please see Appendix 1

Completed risk assessment example

Please see Appendix 2

A risk assessment is the process of identifying what hazards currently exist or may appear in the workplace. It defines which workplace hazards are likely to cause harm to employees and visitors.

Protecting the Vulnerable Suicide Prevention

Potential Solutions

Fencing/barrierstemporary and permanent

Physical solutions often include fencing or other barriers, which may delay or deter.

When considering fencing or barriers as a potential control measure, it is essential that you take the life cycle of the product into account and any residual or further risks they may present.

For example, if the fence/barrier chosen requires some form of ongoing maintenance, or if someone were to manage to climb over the fence/barrier, how would your team or the police safely manage to get the individual back over to the correct side?

These types of residual risks will need capturing in your risk assessment.

Temporary fencing

Bird spiking

An alternative to fencing/barriers is bird spiking. Bird spiking has recently been trialled in a Landsec shopping centre with positive results. The bird spiking can amplify the delay and deter effect and makes individuals stop and think, therefore breaking their thought process. If bird spiking is going to be considered, it should be ensured that is screwed into the wall. Gluing is insufficient. Bird spiking as a control measure should be considered in conjunction with other solutions such as motion detection CCTV.

Permanent fencing

Permanent fencing

Formal and informal surveillance (using staff and the public to watch out for unusual behaviour)

Formal surveillance

Formal surveillance is a deliberate measure used to monitor spaces.

CCTV, other electronic alarm systems and regular patrols by staff – including maintenance teams, cleaners and management – are an effective way of identifying vulnerable people and are another layer of protection.

It is important your teams are clear on their actions if they do come across or engage with a vulnerable person. Teams should be given specific training on how to deal with potentially vulnerable people (see online RED3 Duty Manager training module.)

Different types of CCTV should be considered in relation to the area of concern. For example, the top level of a car park that is rarely used outside peak trading times will experience limited footfall. This may mean that vulnerable people may go unnoticed. CCTV with a motion detection function that alerts the control room will detect potentially vulnerable individuals, and enable help to be deployed as quickly as possible.

Technical solutions

Our Tech Team are your first port of call. CCTV, analytics, radios, earpieces, body-worn cameras and correct lighting all play a part in making our front-of-house teams more effective.

Protecting the Vulnerable Suicide Prevention

Informal surveillance

Informal surveillance is the use of the public and retailers (in this case) to identify unusual behaviours. The public are our primary source of information, especially in those areas that are less frequently patrolled by staff. It is important that you enable the public to understand what their actions should be in the event of an incident – for example, giving the Control Room contact number or nearest call point.

Hostile planting - a softer approach

A vulnerable person may be looking to seek to climb a structure of height, such as a wall. Strategically placed prickly/thorny or ‘hostile’ plants at the base of the wall or structure will help slow down or deter anyone trying to climb it.

Hostile planting

Vehicle-stopping barriers to reduce climbing aids

Vehicles parked right up to a structure can act as a step for easy access. If there is room in your car park spaces, you may wish to consider the placement of vehicle speed bumps so that cars stop short of the structure and are too far away from the structure to act as a step. Signage - get it right and put it in the right place

Clear signage in predetermined locations can be very effective in preventing suicide but also in enabling the public to contact your Control Room. There are examples of such signs on page 11.

Vehicle speed bumps

Staff Briefing / Employee and Partner Support

The power of ‘hello’: supporting your staff (these events are traumatic)

Effective communication with our customers is important. Customer service starts here and the value of saying ‘hello’ to someone who may look a little lost or vulnerable is a powerful tool. All front-of-house staff should be encouraged to engage with the public, of course. Beginning a conversation may save a life.

Consider role plays with your team and including the power of ‘hello’ in your briefings. Explore how you would identify someone who may appear vulnerable. Encourage your teams to share examples where ‘hello’ has made a difference or created a challenge!

The main question we are asked is, after ‘hello’ what do we do if the person needs our assistance?

The answer is the same for any issue you come across: listen carefully and, if unsure, seek assistance from a team member.

Employee and partner support

The Landsec Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can play a vital role in ensuring staff have access to the right support quickly. Contact HR for further details or find it on SharePoint.

It is important that our Landsec | Aspire Service Partners also have access to similar support. This type of support is critical to the resilience of your business.

Remember that you may make a difference to someone by just saying

Communicating with the Public

The message needs to be clear that, whilst it will deter criminal behaviour, it will also reassure the public that our security teams are proactive and aware. If someone is actively seeking a location to injure themselves, such an overt security presence and interaction may deter them and assist in providing them with access to appropriate help and support.

We are proud of the places we work. We want you to feel the same so don’t be surprised if we say hello!

What does research tell us about the effectiveness of crisis signs?

Research on the effectiveness of crisis signs is mixed. No studies have looked at the use of signs on their own, so it’s not possible to attribute success solely to the use of signs. The available evidence does not support placing signage everywhere. This is because crisis signs could draw attention to and highlight a particular location as a method of suicide to the public.

International research shows safety measures can help reduce suicide rates at high-frequency locations (where two or more deaths by suicide or suicide attempts have occurred). It is important to consider all of the following measures:

Restricting access to the site and means of suicide e.g. barriers/nets. Increasing the opportunity and capacity for human intervention. Increasing the opportunities for help-seeking by the individual. Where possible, signs should be used in conjunction with other activities e.g.

— Training staff to effectively manage conversations with suicidal and/or vulnerable people.

— Use of CCTV.

Where should signs be placed?

Information from past incidents should be used to help inform where signs are placed. We would recommend you walk through the location, imagining you were accessing it as a vulnerable person, and consider the following:

Are there frequently used or limited exit and entry points where signs could be placed?

Are there places where someone could sit or stop?

Are there places where someone could be obscured from view?

Are there any places that are more accessible for someone to jump from?

Caution should be taken to avoid promoting the place as a high-frequency location for suicide. For large locations, target common walking routes and access points. Try to ensure signage is at waist or eye-level height.

Consider placing signage to the right of entrances.

Protecting the Vulnerable Suicide Prevention

Samaritans Crisis Service signage examples

Typical production specification

Description:

Size 210 x 297.

4 drill holes.

Material 3mm ACM (Aluminium Composite Material).

Finishing anti-graffiti gloss laminate, with drill holes in each corner; it can be wall mounted or rail mounted by using your own secure plastic clips.

Cost per sign = £10.00 + VAT Delivery charge dependent on quantity.

Typical design brief

This example shows the information that was also considered by Samaritans when promoting their crisis services.

Samaritans discounted signage and training offer

Consider supporting your signage with suicide prevention training for your staff. Samaritans offers a Managing Suicidal Conversations course, delivered UK wide.

Course objectives

Show that you have listened, heard and understood.

Understand and acknowledge suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Understand how talking about suicidal thoughts and feelings can be beneficial.

Understand how to recognise signs of distress and suicidal thoughts.

Understand how to approach someone who is feeling suicidal. Understand how to support or refer someone who is feeling suicidal.

Delegate Pack Workbook, Samaritans calling card, Samaritans pen.

Price 10% discount on signage and training fee – please contact externaltraining@samaritans.org for further information about this offer. If your organisation already has a discounted training fee, this will not be added to that.

Health & Wellbeing

Wellbeing: Support

Pack > External Support

NHS mental health services

Mental health services are free on the NHS but, in most cases, you will need a referral from your GP to access them.

External Providers

workplace.

Mind charity

Mind provides free advice and support to empower anyone experiencing or supporting someone with a mental health problem.

Visit Mind’s website or call the Mind helpline:

Read

more

them.

health services

services you here.

services are free on the NHS you will need a referral access them.

Our wellbeing applications:

Peppy is a new app-based healthcare benefit is there to support employees and their partners through key milestones such as fertility, pregnancy, early parenthood and menopause. Rest assured, Peppy is 100% free to you and 100% private.

Peppy is a new app-based healthcare benefit that is there to support employees and their partners through key milestones such as fertility, pregnancy, early parenthood and menopause. Rest assured, Peppy is 100% free to you and 100% private.

Mind charity

Visit Mind’s website

Mind provides free advice and support to empower anyone experiencing or supporting someone with a mental health problem.

mind.org.uk

Or call the Mind helpline: 0300 123 3393

Mind charity

Visit Mind’s website

Other external support providers

Or call the Mind helpline: 0300 123 3393

Other external support providers

Mind provides free advice and support to empower anyone experiencing or supporting someone with a mental health problem.

External support includes:

External support includes:

Samaritans Mates in Mind

what services you here.

Wellbeing: Support Pack > External Support Click to view more online

Unmind provides tools and training to help look after your mind. We take care of our teeth by brushing twice a day, and we exercise to keep our bodies in tip-top condition – we need to take care of our minds too. Unmind puts the tools to improve your mental health in your hands.

Unmind provides tools and training to help look after your mind. We take care of our teeth by brushing twice a day, and we exercise to keep our bodies in tiptop condition – we need to take care of our minds too. Unmind puts the tools to improve your mental health in your hands.

Unmind provides tools and training to help look after your mind. We take care of our teeth by brushing twice a day, and we exercise to keep our bodies in tip-top condition – we need to take care of our minds too. Unmind puts the tools to improve your mental health in your hands.

Aviva Wellbeing is a health and fitness app designed to help you make small simple changes to your day to day life. Set personalised action plans, access tips and advice and even take part in challenges to help you reach your fitness goals. his app is available to all employees. app is available to all employees. access

Other external support providers

Visit Mind’s website

External support includes:

Samaritans

Or call the Mind helpline: 0300 123 3393

Unmind provides tools and training to help look after your mind. We take care of our teeth by brushing twice a day, and we exercise to keep our bodies in tip-top condition – we need to take care of our minds too. Unmind puts the tools to improve your mental health in your hands.

online what

Samaritans Mates in Mind

Other external support providers

External support includes:

Samaritans Mates in Mind

Wellbeing: Support Pack > External Support Click to view more

Aviva Wellbeing is a health and fitness app designed to help you make small simple changes to your day to day life. Set personalised action plans, access tips and advice and even take part in challenges to help you reach your fitness goals. his app is available to all employees. app is available to all employees.

Aviva Wellbeing is a health and fitness app designed to help you make small, simple changes to your day-to-day life. Set personalised action plans, access tips and advice and even take part in challenges to help you reach your fitness goals. This app is available to all employees.

Aviva Wellbeing is a health and fitness app designed to help you make small simple changes to your day to day life. Set personalised action plans, access tips and advice and even take part in challenges to help you reach your fitness goals. his app is available to all employees. app is available to all employees.

12

What

—