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Behind the Seams:
Safer Handling’s Risk Mitigation Framework
& Due Diligence Document  

History & Roots

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Safer Handling International have been providing specialist, co-produced training, and consultancy in the promotion of positive behaviour support (PBS), clinical holding and physical skills associated with managing behaviour that challenges since 1999.

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In 2001 Safer Handling were amongst the first to adopt the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Conflict Resolution syllabus which pledged to train all 1.4 million employees. 

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Our ethos at Safer-handling is in reducing restrictive practices appropriately and effectively, by helping organisations implement appropriate systems and equipment without compromising on the safety of staff or those in their care.

Equipment standards 

Safer handling acquired the rights to Pro-tactical’s range of Soft restraint products in 2015, redesigning them with input from our client base, expert associates and having our processes, systems, manuals and products independently reviewed*. 

The Safer handling range of Soft restraints include; the Soft Restraint Kit, the Safety-cuff and the Safer Emergency Enveloping Lifting Sling (designed with the Rampton PMVA team).

All of our equipment is subject to laboratory testing by Satra industries.

Risk matrix & specialist advisors

Our syllabus, techniques step by step tutorials and courses on Safer Handling online are subject to regular bots advisor scrutiny and have been independently reviewed for their legal, medical and operational compliance by SWC Experts*.

This includes a dynamic movement impact analyses of techniques from Georgina Ewer, current physiotherapist for British cycling, who formerly worked for Team GB in several Winter Olympics, Welsh rugby and the Glamorgan cricket team. 

George’s perspective on injuries caused by movement & impact for all concerned in an interaction, compliments the work our advisor to the board Dr Tony Bleetman supplies within our medical reviews.

Board and advisory framework

Our CEO, Doug Melia holds the position as a specialist IIRSM member (SIIRSM). He has held board level status with TACT-book - a Texas based Non-profit specialising in healthcare safety since its inception in 2022. 

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Doug worked with the Security Industry Authority to give input into the legalities of licensed operatives using mechanical restraints in 2018 and presented his findings at the Pubwatch conference. 

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Doug was appointed Use of force advisor to the UK chapter of the IAHSS in December 2024 and is a registered expert witness. He is a life member of the Howard League for Penal reform & was recently invited to attend Wormwood scrubs with their management & CEO. 

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Doug has featured on TV programmes here and in France discussing use of force topics and often writes balanced articles for publications on subjects such as PAVA, seclusion and school safety.

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Mark Williams is our non executive Director,  former marine, police and prison service trainer and use of force expert.

Legal & Quality Control

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  • Eric Baskind - UK law

  • Dean Malpas - US law 

  • Julie Wiggs - Administration

Movement & Physical Risk Advisors 

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  • Andy McCormack - Physical Skills 

  • Mike Bird - Custodial Use of Force

  • Georgina Ewer

  • Pete Turner

Medical & Psychosocial 

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  • Rebecca House - holistic & lived experience 

  • Alex Doyle - violence reduction

  • Ian Harbison - psychological 

  • Dr Tony Bleetman - chief medical expert 

  • Mark Williams - UoF & lived experience  

Approach, Accolades and Affiliation 

Safer Handling believe in delivering training that is safe and effective, which complies with national standards & that aligns with our holistic approach to reducing restrictive practices - not just replacing one for another.

The Soft Restraint Kit was deemed to be the least restrictive option in a 2005 High court ruling in response to a patient’s life threatening wounds, caused by self injurious behaviour.

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Following the 2010 review by Charlie Taylor into the use of pain inducing techniques across the secure estate, Safer Handling  co-produced the Safety Cuff, with the MOJ national training team. 

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The Safety Cuff has now been implemented across the Juvenile estate where it is refered to in UK policy and the MMPR syllabus as ‘Wrist  restraints’. The Safety Cuff has been adopted across wider services worldwide and across secure Children's homes. 

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Safer Handling’s approach and equipment implementation at a Justice Health Forensic Hospital, Australia, was cited as best practice in a coronial inquiry by NSW Government into deaths in custody in 2018.

Accreditation and Quality Standards 

Vocationally Safer Handling map our awards to Edexcel, City and Guilds and Highfield standards, whilst tailoring each package to the organisation, people, location and the challenges highlighted in our training needs analyses.

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Safer Handling are NICE stakeholders, operate as a centre for the delivery of RSPH  qualifications and regular support organisations seeking UKAS approval for the implementation of packages relating to restraint reduction.

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Since 2006 Safer handling have held full licensed centre status with the National Federation for Personal Safety (NFPS) and offer their range of BTEC awards which are specifically tailored to the Care and Education sector. 

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Safer handling support organisations with their applications to comply with the Restraint Refuction Network standards*, by supplying certification and training records to BILD ACT in support of their applications in line with the Mental Health Unit’s (use of force) Act 2018. 

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Safer handling offer industry standard qualifies through the Institute of Conflict Management, supporting their published national occupational standards for reducing workplace violence.

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Corporate memberships and affiliations also extend to; the International Corrections and Prison Association, the Trauma care charity, the National Association of School Resource Officers, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, NAPICU and IOSH.

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Within Safer-handling’s work across the maritime sector, ‘Passenger Safe’ our sub company training staff across cruise ships  have had our courses accredited through ISCA maritime services ltd, by the Bahama’s Maritime Authority.

*these standards are not mandatory & do not apply outside of mental health units

Charity Involvement

Safer Handling regularly supports authors such as Andy Williams and Rebecca House with talks and book signings. 

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Our CEO Doug Melia takes part in charity events such as annual bike ride challenges and most recently trekking the Inca trail to Machu Pichu.

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The main charities we support are The Boxing Academy - an alternative to exclusion, Bike Stormz, the Lancashire Partnership against Crime (LANPAC) and Woody’s Lodge, a charity for veterans, emergency services personnel and their families.

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