Tower Equine (“the Practice”) is committed to promoting and improving a safe and secure environment for those who work for us. This Policy has been produced to tackle unacceptable behaviour, violence and aggression against staff and professionals who work or provide services to us.

The purpose of this Policy is to address instances of unacceptable behaviour which may cause harm or the fear of harm to any person in the Practice whilst also setting out the framework for managing violence and aggression within the Practice. The scope of this policy is therefore:

Instances of violence or aggression committed by any one person, whether patient, visitor or any other person working within the Practice against any patient, visitor or other person working with in the Practice.

We will always seek to act according to the principles of fairness, honesty, integrity and respect. We expect that our patients will uphold these principles and will adhere to this Policy. We expect that our staff and volunteers will similarly act in accordance with these principles.

As an organisation, we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that staff and volunteers at Tower Equine can go about their work and/or professional practice without being subject to unacceptable behaviour.

The Practice operates a zero tolerance policy towards harassment and abuse of staff or patients, which includes (but is not limited to) homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, ageism or harassment or abuse on basis of disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief. We aim to manage unacceptable behaviour in a manner that protects our staff, volunteers and members of the public wherever it is appropriate and necessary to do so.

We recognise that in some circumstances, people may have a disability or mental health problem that may make communication more difficult. Where there is a concern about unacceptable behaviour we will always consider individual needs and circumstances before deciding on how we should respond.