Free welfare and vulnerability training for staff in the night time economy

Ipswich Borough Council is promoting the availability of free, online Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training which is available to venues, security staff and taxi operators in Ipswich.

The training is supported through Safer Streets 4 funding from the Home Office, awarded following a successful bid by the Borough Council in partnership with Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, Ipswich Central and Suffolk County Council.

Produced by leisure, hospitality and night time economy safety specialists Six Till Six, this interactive online training can be completed at any time, with no limit to the number of times it can be viewed.

Following completion of the training, participants will be able to:

• Recognise and identify warning and danger signs
• Be equipped to intervene before a situation escalates and diffuse conflict
• Understand use of reasonable force, assertiveness, and engagement techniques

The training also covers bystander intervention, spiking, and the Ask for Angela campaign.

Kate Price, Assistant Director of Communities at Ipswich Borough Council, says:

“We’re pleased to be offering this free safety training to licensed industry workers in Ipswich venues including bars, clubs and pubs, late night convenience stores and off-licences, plus security staff and taxi drivers.

“The training takes less than an hour to complete and can be accessed on any phone, tablet or PC which has internet access.

“We hope it will help increase confidence in those participating as well as boosting their skills to be able to support vulnerable people and, as importantly, to increase the public’s safety when out at night.”

To register and receive instructions for accessing the free training course or if you need further information, please email: community.safety@ipswich.gov.uk with a contact name, email address and the name of your venue or employer.

Find out more about Safer Streets at: www.ipswich.gov.uk/saferstreets