Millfields Charter - What Does The Charter Say?

What Does The Charter Say?

"We the undersigned are increasingly concerned by approaches used across care and
education settings to control people and manage aggression.
We believe many of the techniques deemed as appropriate are dehumanising,
dangerous, abusive and detrimental to the relationships between staff in
care settings and those for whom they care.
Many staff attending such courses even appear to be injured whilst training and
yet such training is accepted in many parts of the health, social care and education
system as appropriate for use with people who need our services. People who use the
services are rarely given a choice about this.
We demand a change in the care of people with mental health problems or
learning disabilities, who can be treated in dehumanising and degrading ways.
We deplore prone physical restraint!
We believe there are alternatives, which enhance the quality of life and improve
standards for individuals and their carers. Such methods maintain the relationship
between staff caring and users of services, and reduce incidents of violence.
It's time for a change, to put care back into caring settings.
It is our firmly held belief that the use of the following physical interventions
should cease immediately and be replaced by more sensitive techniques and better
education for all staff.
• Methods using restraint in the prone / face down position which are dangerous
to physical health and are degrading
• Mechanical restraints, which tie, strap or in other ways prevent movement
• Methods which cause pain and involve locks to joints
• Methods which do not involve user or advocate choice
• Methods which cause fear and increase anxiety
Do you agree?"

The Charter does not just focus on one issue. Clear in these statements is a moral framework.