What is Graduated Response?
Graduated response is a systematic approach to personal safety. It offers the ability to select and apply the correct response to a situation we may ‘see’, ‘predict’ or ‘find ourselves in’.
It demonstrates how we can heighten or lower our level of response as situations evolve or develop. It increases our understanding of ‘context’ and ‘dictates our actions’ when dealing with a potential or real threat or danger.
Graduated response moves through a series of options, as your reaction time decreases so do your options. Ideally you would identify the situation and remove yourself. If you cannot remove yourself then you may need to use verbal conflict management skills, if this fails you may have to resort to self-defence.
Why is Graduated Response Important?
To keep it simple there is rarely, if ever, a one size fits all solution when it comes to personal safety. The situation can change in an instant and by being able to dynamically access the threat, or potential threat and identify the options available, you will increase your chances of avoiding physical or emotional harm.
By using a system of graduated response, it will enable you to make a rational decision in an emotional situation. However, any action taken should be appropriate and within the rule of law.
When dealing with a personal safety situation, a graduated response can be beneficial to many people, especially those working in high-risk professions or hostile environments. The HZL Graduated Response System is not limited to any specific demographic group but is beneficial to those working in security, healthcare, close protection, and lone workers.
Benefits of Understanding Graduated Response
The HZL Graduated Response System works through the process of assessing the situation and identifying a suitable response. By understanding and identifying your options, and when to use these options correctly, will help protect your professional reputation.
Demonstrating competence and professionalism when dealing with a conflict situation in different environments will aid in protecting the reputational risk of your company or employer and ensure you stay within the boundaries of the law.
Learn More and Develop Your Skill with Graduated Response
The Level 3 Award in Graduated Response Options for Personal Safety (RQF) course sits on the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) and will be highly effective in developing the skills that will help you navigate potentially dangerous situations more effectively.
The training will not only enhance your situational awareness by helping you to identify potential threats but also how to avoid dangerous situations by recognising signs of conflict.
By understanding how to diffuse situations you can prevent the situation from escalating into physical confrontations. The situation may escalate and the requirement for use of force as part of your own self-defence, or the defence of another may be required, and these skills are also comprehensively covered on the course.
