NHS Employers: Post-incident support framework (1 July 2026)

Summary

This guidance offers a support framework with actionable steps for staff affected by physical violence and psychological trauma within NHS settings.

Content

This framework covers the post incident support of staff following:

• physical violence
• verbal abuse
• online/digital abuse
• sexual assault
• sexual harassment.

This framework is focused on the post-incident support response for staff following violence and abuse in the course of their work. It is not intended to replace local safeguarding, HR, disciplinary, legal, or clinical incident management procedures.

Organisations should apply this framework alongside their existing policies and pathways, using professional judgement where incidents overlap..