If you’ve been following training regulation developments, you’ve likely seen mentions of the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) standards and BILD Act certification. A lot of providers wonder: Are these requirements legally mandatory? And if not, how should we respond?
Below is a breakdown — with frontline perspective — to help you understand what’s real, what’s contractual, and what you should focus on as a training provider or service lead.
📜 What Are RRN Standards & BILD Act Certification?
RRN Standards are voluntary quality criteria for training in restrictive practices, designed to promote best practice, safety, and restraint reduction.
BILD Act Certification is a certification scheme linked to RRN standards and administered with UKAS accreditation, intended to formally certify that a training provider meets those RRN criteria.
Some commissioners and contracts (especially in health & mental health settings) are now requiring contractors/trainers to hold BILD Act certification or to be assessed against RRN standards.
🚫 They Are Not Legally Mandatory (Yet)
The NFPS article clearly states that RRN standards are not statutory law. Compliance with them is not yet a legal requirement under current legislation.
The Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018, which is sometimes cited in this discussion, only applies to mental health units in hospital settings — not to general care homes, education, or secure transport services outside that scope.
The requirement for BILD Act certification in some contracts is a contractual condition (i.e., a stipulation in the contract between commissioner and provider), not a legal mandate.
⚖ What This Means for You (As a Service or Training Provider)
Meeting RRN standards is still valuable
Even though not legally mandated, aligning your training with RRN standards signals quality, professionalism, and safety. It can help with reputation, referrals, and commissioner confidence.Certification = extra cost and obligations
Choosing to become BILD Act certified comes with ongoing compliance, audit, and financial costs. Some providers fear losing flexibility or being constrained by “certification rules.”What law currently requires
You must comply with Health & Safety, Human Rights, Safeguarding, Care Regulations, etc. Any training you deliver should be reasonably practicable, based on risk, context, and service user needs. The certificate scheme is not legally enforceable in many sectors outside mental health units.Commissioners may “expect” compliance
Some CQC-related guidance and contractual documents suggest that services should use training certified to RRN. But “expectation” is not the same as legal requirement.
✅ Our Position at Frontline Training
We have mapped our content against RRN standards, and we meet or exceed many of them in practice.
However, we do not currently plan to pursue compulsory BILD Act certification because it can, in some cases, restrict flexibility and add cost without adding real safety benefit.
Instead, we focus on giving clients legally defensible, trauma-informed, high-quality training — and ensuring you can defend your training choices if challenged.
🧭 What You Should Do (Advice)
Ask any training provider whether their course is aligned with RRN/Restraint Reduction Standards (even if not certified).
Review your contractual requirements — if your commissioners demand BILD Act certification, weigh whether that’s reasonable or feasible.
Keep clear documentation of training, risk assessments, decisions, and compliance with statutory law.
If and when certification becomes more established or required legally, revisit your stance — but don’t rush into it prematurely.
🔹 Find out how we can Support you!
📞 0113 532 1960
📧 enquiries@fltrain.co.uk
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