Safeguarding Aged Care Workers: Addressing Aggression in the Workplace

Safeguarding Aged Care Workers: Addressing Aggression in the Workplace

The Hidden Reality in Aged Care

Working in aged care is an incredibly rewarding yet demanding profession. But behind the scenes, many carers face a daily challenge that is rarely spoken about, managing aggressive behaviour from service recipients. While compassion and patience are essential traits, they are not enough to mitigate the physical and psychological risks that come with occupational violence and aggression (OVA).

In 2017, the Aged Care Workforce Study revealed troubling statistics: 28% of residential aged care facilities considered working with aggressive service users to be a normal part of the job. Another 56% said it was expected in exceptional circumstances. The reality? Aggressive behaviours are far too common, and many organisations aren’t adequately addressing the issue.

The Misconception: It’s Just Part of the Job

This acceptance of aggression as a job norm is not only dangerous but also legally precarious. The regulators are challenging the belief that aggressive outbursts, especially those linked to clinical conditions, should simply be tolerated. Doing so ignores employer duty of care obligations and puts staff, service users, and bystanders at risk.

The perception that carers should accept violence as part of their job undermines safety, increases stress, and leads to high turnover rates. Moreover, it compromises the emotional wellbeing of the workforce, many of whom feel unsupported, unheard, and unsafe.

The Legal and Financial Implications

Under current laws, managers at all levels can be held personally accountable for breaches in duty of care. The failure to act can have dire consequences, not just for staff safety, but also for organisational reputation and finances.

The financial burden of doing nothing is staggering:

  • Average workers’ compensation claim for work-related violence: $40,000
  • Serious claims: over $400,000
  • Exceptional psychological injury claims: upwards of $2 million

Compare this with the approximate $10,000 cost to train 100 staff with proven strategies for managing aggression. The math is simple, the cost of prevention is a fraction of the cost of inaction.

Reputational Risks: More Than Just Dollars

A single incident can severely damage an organisation’s standing as both an employer of choice and a care provider of choice. Reputational harm affects recruitment, retention, and stakeholder trust.

Moreover, when staff don’t feel protected, the care they provide suffers. This compromises the emotional and physical wellbeing of clients and undermines the overall mission of aged care, to provide respectful, compassionate support to those who need it most.

A Call for Organisational Change: What Needs to Happen

It’s time to move from reactive management to proactive leadership. This shift involves:

1. Making Staff Safety a Priority.

Safety must be elevated to a core organisational value. It should be included in every strategic conversation, policy update, and operational decision.

2. Embedding Risk Management Strategies.

Risks related to aggressive behaviours need to be formally integrated into your organisation’s broader risk management framework. This allows for comprehensive planning, better resource allocation, and more effective incident prevention.

3. Identifying and Addressing Training Needs

A one-size-fits-all approach to training doesn’t work. Assess your team’s current skill levels and choose programs tailored to their unique needs. Consider training from specialists like Holland Thomas, who offer sustainable solutions grounded in best practice.

4. Improving Incident Reporting Systems

A streamlined reporting process, such as 60 Second Incident Reporting, can help organisations track trends in lower-level incidents and intervene before issues escalate.

5. Investing in Ongoing Support

Prevention doesn’t end after the initial training. Regular refresher courses and support programs are essential to maintain competence, confidence, and commitment.

The Human Impact: Emotional and Psychological Wellbeing

Beyond policy and training lies the human element. Staff who feel safe are more confident, less stressed, and more capable of delivering quality care. They are more likely to stay in their roles and become ambassadors of a positive workplace culture.

For carers, the benefits are deeply personal:

  • Feeling more in control
  • Reduced anxiety and burnout
  • Greater sense of support and empowerment

For organisations, the outcomes include:

  • Lower absenteeism and sick leave
  • Better staff retention
  • Improved client outcomes

Why Holland Thomas? Your Trusted Partner in Safety

Holland Thomas understands the unique challenges of managing aggressive behaviours. Our training isn’t generic. We work closely with clients to understand their environment, challenges, and goals. Our programs focus on risk prevention, early intervention, and the safe management of aggressive behaviours when presented.

With a track record of reducing incidents and improving staff wellbeing, we’re not just a training provider, we’re a partner in your safety journey.

Taking the Next Step

It’s time to reject the notion that aggression is just part of the job. Instead, let’s create a future where safety, respect, and wellbeing are non-negotiable.

Make staff safety leadership a strategic imperative. Integrate aggression risk into your planning. Upskill your workforce. And do it all with a partner like Holland Thomas who’s as committed to your people as you are.

 

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Travis Holland

Travis Holland
Managing Director
Holland Thomas

Should you wish to discuss strategies to improve your staff’s safety in their work environment, please feel welcome to contact Holland Thomas.

Passionate about creating safer workplaces our goal is to enhance wellbeing for all concerned, whilst also delivering improved operational and financial performance.

This blog draws on our years of experience delivering our M.A.B.™ Staff Safety Training (Contextualised Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behaviours) across Australia, and the development of My Safety Buddy, our smartphone app and web portal based lone worker safety system.