Theory and practical
Empowering staff to recognise, respond, and preserve life.
Why this training matters?
Self-harm and the use of ligatures are an increasing concern across care settings.
These behaviours are not only life-threatening for the individuals involved, but also deeply traumatic for the staff managing such incidents.
Many deaths involving ligatures are unintentional — the individual’s aim is not to die but to relieve distress, express emotion, or seek help. Tragically, a lack of timely intervention can make the difference between life and death.
Would your staff know how to act quickly and safely if faced with a ligature incident?
Does your organisation have the tools, systems, and training in place to preserve life?
Your Duty to Protect Life
Under the Human Rights Act 1998 (Article 2), every person has the right to life.
Public bodies, and those acting on their behalf, have a positive obligation to protect that right — meaning they must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable risks where there is a real and immediate danger to life.
Ignite Training Wales can help your organisation meet this duty by ensuring staff have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to act decisively in a self-harm or ligature situation.
What Your Team Will Learn?
Through a mix of theory, practical learning, and scenario-based discussion, your staff will develop the skills to:
- Recognise triggers, warning signs, and risk factors associated with self-harm and ligature behaviour.
- Identify ligature points and assess environmental risks.
- Conduct effective ligature risk assessments and implement control measures.
- Understand how to safely remove ligatures in both suspended and non-suspended incidents.
- Follow essential post-ligature procedures to protect life and wellbeing.
- Use ligature cutting tools correctly and confidently.
Real-World Learning – Real-Life Impact
“A mental health trust was fined £1.5 million following the deaths of 11 patients linked to fixed ligature points.”
(HSE prosecution – Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust)
This tragic case demonstrates that failing to identify and manage ligature risks can have fatal consequences — and significant legal implications under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The HSE has identified suicide prevention as a key workplace safety priority, making appropriate staff training a legal and moral responsibility.
Course Outcomes
By completing this training, participants will gain:
- A deep understanding of why individuals use ligatures or self-injure.
- The confidence and competence to manage and support individuals safely.
- Practical knowledge of ligature cutting tools and their correct application.
- Awareness of how to respond when ligatures are applied to different body areas (neck, wrist, finger, etc.).
- A strengthened ability to act swiftly, safely, and compassionately — to save lives.
Why Choose Ignite Training Wales
At Ignite Training Wales, we combine professional expertise with real-world experience to deliver practical, evidence-based training that makes a genuine difference.
Our sessions are led by experienced care professionals who understand the pressures of frontline work — ensuring every delegate leaves prepared, confident, and capable
Free copy of the ligature risk assessment template will be issued after the training.
Our instructors are NFPS Level 2 qualified ligature instructors.
Ignite Training Wales 