“Relational security is the knowledge and understanding we have of a patient, of ourselves, and of the environment, and the translation of that information into appropriate responses and care”.
See Think Act is the UK’s overarching policy guidance for relational security
See Think Act was first written by Elizabeth Allen in 2010 whilst head of policy for medium secure mental health services, and deputy head of high security services in the UK. The model was developed by undertaking a thematic review of a wide range of serious incidents in secure, acute, and community settings.
Launching the third edition in June 2023, Elizabeth said, “When See Think Act was first published in 2010, we took a significant step in providing a clearer understanding of relational security. For the first time we had a comprehensive explanation a subject that had previously eluded us. In 2015, our second edition continued that journey, building on what we’d learnt and including for the first time a strategic element to the subject by setting out the actions of leaders in the delivery of strong relational security.
“Our third edition shares more of what we’ve learnt. We’ve listened to staff during their relational security development days, talked to leaders in strategic relational security sessions, and heard from patients and the other people who care about them about their experiences of the services we provide. We’ve learnt from examples of brilliant practice, and from times when we could have done much better.
“Alongside a wider range of tools and resources for relational security adoption and staff development, See Think Act remains our simple and digestible guide, applicable for every part of the forensic pathway, acute mental health services, supported living, and many others in the UK and overseas who have come to see relational security as essential for delivering safe services.”
The resources supporting See Think Act implementation
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Relational security e-learning
The relational security e-learning launched in 2023 and has been an easy way of ensuring staff have access to this essential knowledge and development.
Our approach to e-learning is Learn, Reflect & Connect. Users have well-presented information about relational security through videos and interactive learning pages, questions and scenarios to reflect on, perspectives from other experts, and instant feedback on how their views compare with their peers via social polling.
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Relational security facilitator programme
The role of the Relational Security Facilitator is to support ward and service teams adopt and embed the use of the See Think Act Framework into clinical practice, and help staff enhance their relational security skills beyond their initial training.
For services who want to ensure training and development is sustained into the future, and can identify staff who have the right competencies for the role, the relational security facilitator programme is an ideal approach.
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Relational security training
We run relational security facilitator programmes, multi-disciplinary relational security training, leadership training, and care planning workshops.
Our training is interactive and thought provoking. We challenge teams to think and work in a way that improves care and safety as well as clinical effectiveness.
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Adoption toolkit
The relational security adoption toolkit is an online resource available to services under a permanent license.
With staff development tools, organisational adoption plans, patient mapping instruments, and much more, this toolkit has everything you need to adopt, improve, and sustain relational security in your service.
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Development workbook
Included in the resource toolkit, the development workbook supports staff to take the enthusiasm they've built in their relational security training immediately back to the workplace and continue to develop their practice.
With exercises, reflective practice, and competency assessments for both direct care staff and leaders, the workbook is an essential tool for sustained learning and practice development.
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SEE THINK ACT publication
This is the third edition authored by Liz and published in June 2023 by the Royal College of Psychiatry. The ‘look and feel’ remains the same, as does the overall model, but there are key developments and expanded learning in all the areas.
What the Care Quality Commission says about relational security
“Working in mental health services can be rewarding and challenging. Using real life examples from the people who experience our services, this book is a practical guide to delivering high-quality care. Consistent with our new single assessment framework, it provides support and guidance on how to care in a way that improves outcomes for people.
“What I like most about this edition is its emphasis on effective leadership. Leadership is much more than effective process management. This book highlights the significance of the role of leaders in providing services that are thoughtful, safe, and purposeful, and the importance of them building cultures where people feel safe to speak, and leaders have the courage to listen and act.”
Chris Dzikiti, Director of Mental Health, Care Quality Commission
What the Royal College of Psychiatry says about relational security
“Effective relational security is critical to providing safe, purposeful and well-led services. See Think Act was first published by the Department of Health for medium secure care in 2010. In 2015, the Quality Network for Forensic Mental Health Services along with Elizabeth Allen, the original author of the work, undertook a review with high, medium and low secure providers, patients and their friends and family, of what we’ve learned since the first publication. We’re pleased to publish the 3rd Edition authored again by Elizabeth Allen, which takes account of how our services have evolved since 2015.”
Read our Royal College articles
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Strategic relational security
Liz talks about the importance of understanding how relational security can help deliver wider strategic goals.
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Staff support
Liz talks about the importance of continuing the development of staff and not relying on relational security induction.
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Restrictive practice
Liz talks about the link between the management of boundaries and restrictive practice.
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Handling hate towards staff
Liz reflects on the problem of hatred towards staff and how we might respond to it more meaningfully.
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Relational security and trauma
Liz reflects on the opportunity to incorporate an understanding of trauma into relational security development.