Homefield College is committed to providing the highest standard of care and support to students with complex behavioural needs. In response to growing concerns around the use of restrictive physical interventions (RPI), the college explored alternative approaches to maintain safety while fostering student independence and self-regulation. One of the key investments in this initiative was the introduction of Safety Pods—a tool aimed at reducing the reliance on reactive physical interventions and promoting proactive self-regulation.

At Homefield College, students are supported with tailored behavioural strategies to manage escalation and reduce the need for physical intervention. Traditionally, when students displayed escalating behaviours, staff would have to implement floor-based RPI, a measure used to de-escalate potentially unsafe situations. However, this type of intervention can be distressing for both students and staff and can hinder engagement and emotional well-being.

To address this challenge, the college introduced Safety Pods—a safe, enclosed space designed to provide students with a calming environment during moments of behavioural escalation. The primary goal was to reduce the need for floor RPI while ensuring that students remained in a secure, supervised space where they could self-regulate and regain composure.

A particular case illustrates the effectiveness of the Safety Pods in practice. One student, whose behaviour was known to escalate, was identified as likely to require floor RPI in certain situations. To prevent this, the college purchased a Safety Pod, allowing the student to utilize it proactively before reaching the point of crisis. This decision was driven by the college’s commitment to reducing floor RPI use, as the college has a policy of not using it in most situations.

In this case, the Safety Pod was not used reactively—when the student’s behaviour was escalating—but instead proactively, as a space for the student to go to self-regulate before any challenging behaviours emerged. The student learned to recognize when they needed a break, voluntarily entering the pod as a preventative measure. Over time, this allowed the student to avoid escalation entirely, leading to improved behaviour and a reduction in distress.

The introduction of Safety Pods at Homefield College has been a resounding success. All students who have been provided access to the Safety Pods are using them proactively. The pods have become an essential tool in supporting student engagement and self-regulation. Rather than waiting for behaviours to escalate to the point where physical intervention is necessary, students are using the pods to manage their emotions and avoid disruptive or harmful behaviours altogether.

The proactive use of Safety Pods has also had a significant impact on the college’s use of RPI. By offering a safe, calming environment, the pods have contributed to a reduction in the need for reactive physical interventions. This not only improves the emotional well-being of the students but also supports the college’s goal of maintaining a positive, supportive learning environment.

Students have expressed a strong preference for the Safety Pods. Many report feeling more in control of their emotions and behaviours when they have access to a designated space where they can retreat, calm down, and regroup. The ability to use the Safety Pods as a proactive tool rather than a reactive measure has empowered students, giving them a sense of agency over their own emotional regulation.

The introduction of Safety Pods at Homefield College has proven to be an effective strategy in reducing the need for floor-based RPI while supporting students’ self-regulation and overall engagement. The proactive use of the Safety Pods has not only helped students maintain better emotional control but has also contributed to a safer, more positive environment for both students and staff. By continuing to prioritize innovative solutions like the Safety Pods, Homefield College is able to uphold its commitment to providing the highest standard of care and support for all students.

As the use of Safety Pods continues to grow, Homefield College plans to explore further enhancements and expand the availability of this resource across the campus. By building on the success of this initiative, the college aims to further reduce the reliance on restrictive interventions and continue to prioritize the emotional and behavioural well-being of its students.