Violence Reduction & Security Management Network
Summary
The NPAG Violence Reduction & Security Management Network is a nationally recognised and well-established professional network supporting NHS staff involved in violence reduction and security management. With members from acute, community, ambulance, and mental health trusts, the network offers invaluable peer support, expert insights, and practical solutions to the complex challenges faced in this field.
The network has gone from strength to strength and has been growing in size accordingly. In 2024-25 the Network had 70 members from across the NHS!
One of the major benefits of this network is that it is a national NHS network. Members continue to share an extensive range of knowledge, experience and learning in a safe environment.
Click here for the 2025 round information flyer.
Meet the Facilitator
Dale Atkins
Dale is a highly motivated freelance consultant with over 35 years of experience working as a senior health professional in and around the NHS. Dale has gained a wide range of knowledge in the fields of commissioning, health service planning, health management information and service redesign – within both the primary care and the secondary care sectors.
Dale is currently an NPAG Business Associate with responsibility for the Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response Network, the Violence Reduction & Security Management Network, the Temporary Workforce Network, the Operating Theatre Managers Besr Value Group and the Waste Management Best Value Group. Dale has also been involved in a number of other NPAG projects including business reviews, workshop programmes and conference chairing.
Outside of NPAG, Dale has experience of working in primary care assisting GP practices with service redesign, management information systems, business planning and resilience planning.
Meet the Chairs
Mike Craissati
VPR Advisor, Leadership Associate & Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Mike has over 16 years’ experience working for Berkshire Healthcare, a Mental Health & Community Services Trust. The majority of his roles are focussed on supporting staff. He initially qualified as a Local Security Management Specialist in 2010 and has spent many years supporting staff that may be victims of violence and aggression, trying to address some of the root causes and minimise risk. He also has advised the Trust on the security of its estate and assets.
For the last 7 years Mike has focussed on his role as a FTSU Guardian, which also has a strong element of staff support. He is however, still very active in violence management and reduction. A key element to both of these roles is helping to support and improve the experiences of all staff whilst at work so that they can give the best care to the community Berkshire healthcare serves, which is something he gets great job satisfaction from. He also helps to deliver some of the Leadership offering to Managers at Berkshire Healthcare, concentrating on civility, communication and minimising conflict.
His role chairing the South East FTSU Guardians Network demonstrates his skill in collaboration and influence across multiple organisations—qualities that make him an outstanding joint Chair for NPAG’s Violence Reduction & Security Network.
Kerry Wheat
Head of Security and Car Parking, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
BPA Chair of Healthcare and Council Representative for Healthcare
Kerry is a dedicated and experienced professional with over 15 years’ experience in the NHS and has made significant contributions to the field of security and car parking management across the NHS. With a strong background in operational security and car parking services, Kerry has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic oversight, ensuring the delivery of effective and responsive services through outsourced providers.
In her role, Kerry has been instrumental in setting objectives and providing direction to Security & Car Parking Managers both with her own Trust and nationally, leading contractual performance reviews and change management initiatives to ensure services meet statutory guidance and best practices. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her ability to lead strategic reviews of Security and Car Parking Policies, collaborating with various teams and external contractors to develop and implement compliant and cost-effective services.
Kerry has designed and implemented a number of Security and Car Parking Strategies, working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including NPSA, the Home Office and British Parking Association to manage strategic priorities and ensure security management aligns with professional and ethical standards. She has developed performance and governance strategies, improvement programs whilst proactively planning and managing short, medium, and long-term plans for quality and cost-effective delivery for her own organisation.
In her role as joint Chair for the NPAG's Violence Reduction and Security Management Network, she provides specialist advice on security services, collaborates with key stakeholder internal and external providers to achieve the best outcomes. This ability to combine strategic insight with practical delivery makes her a great choice to lead the Network, ensuring members benefit from expert guidance and a strong focus on reducing violence and improving security across healthcare settings.
Annual Reports
Meeting Information
Meeting dates for 2024-25 are as follows:
- Meeting 1 – 9 October 2025 - Virtual via MS Teams
- Meeting 2 – 8 January 2026 - Virtual via MS Teams
- Meeting 3 – 23 April 2026 - Virtual via MS Teams
- Meeting 4 – 9 July 2026 - Virtual via MS Teams
Download the 2025-26 registration form here.
Become a member
Best Value Group Membership Registration
REGISTRATION CONDITIONS:
A VAT invoice will be issued. VAT Registration No. 654 9195 01. VAT applies to any NHS organisation outside England and to any non-NHS organisation.
Payment is due on receipt of invoice. DO NOT send payment in advance of receipt of invoice. When invoice is received, payment should be made to ‘East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.’
ALL cancellations must be in writing. Cancellations received within 14 working days of receipt of the registration form will receive a full refund. After this date refunds cannot be made. A substitute is acceptable. NPAG cannot be held responsible for any travel expenses or accommodation costs in the event of a cancellation or postponement of a meeting, workshop or an event.
A 25% discount will be applied when an existing NPAG member joins an additional Group. This does not apply to the £300 second member rate. As a registered contact you will receive our monthly NPAG Newsletter.
By submitting this registration form, you adhere to the terms and conditions set out by NPAG. Please click here for our full terms and conditions: https://www.npag.org.uk/terms-and-conditions