YSAS—How Duress Falcon Strengthened Safety for Youth Workers and Vulnerable Communities
Key Takeaways
Challenge: YSAS needed a robust safety solution for lone workers and outreach staff working with vulnerable young people in residential units and additional outreach programs. The unpredictable nature of these interactions called for additional layers of protection.
Solution: The Duress Falcon provided a discreet, efficient way to alert team members and emergency services in dangerous situations, boosting staff confidence and overall safety.
Outcome: With the implementation of Duress, the team has avoided several dangerous situations, and staff feel more supported, knowing help is available at a moment’s notice.
The Challenge
YSAS, an organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable youth, found themselves in need of a reliable safety solution. Nathan Todaro, ICT Officer, pointed out that many of the youth they work with are in vulnerable life situations, often living in residential units with youth workers. Additionally, staff regularly perform outreach work, making it essential to have extra protection in place.
"It made sense to add another layer of safety," Nathan explained. Ishmeen Chawla, another ICT Officer, echoed these concerns, noting the unpredictable nature of their work. "Our staff are working with young people who have gone through trauma and are often very protective. We can’t always predict how they will react, so our workers need to feel safe in order to provide the best support."
The Process
After identifying the need for a stronger safety system, YSAS turned to the Duress Falcon. Both Nathan and Ishmeen were impressed by how well-connected the devices were, both within their internal team and with Duress support. "It’s simple to use and makes it easy for the staff to connect with emergency services in seconds," said Ishmeen.
Nathan was equally enthusiastic about the device’s ability to request help discreetly, especially in high-risk situations. The staff appreciated how quickly they could alert their team without drawing attention.
Although both Nathan and Ishmeen agreed the training provided by Duress was excellent—both rating it a 10/10—they did suggest some improvements. "We’ve noticed some users struggle with connectivity at our sites, so a stronger antenna for WiFi or 4G/5G would help," said Nathan. We’ve connected their devices to WiFi to ensure connectivity with black spots on their sites.
The Outcome
Since implementing Duress, YSAS has seen a real impact on the safety of its staff. "It has saved our team from dangerous situations on multiple occasions," Nathan shared. The discreet nature of the device, paired with its ability to instantly alert team members and emergency services, has been invaluable.
"While I’m not a direct user of the product," Ishmeen added, "I understand the level of support it provides. Our team feels safer and more equipped to handle unpredictable situations because they know help is just a click away."
The Duress Falcon has brought peace of mind to YSAS staff, allowing them to focus on their work without constantly worrying about safety. The improved response times and ongoing support from Duress have reinforced their commitment to worker safety.
Quotes and Stats
"Duress has been fantastic at making our workers feel safer on-site, with their continued support and training." – Nathan Todaro, ICT Officer, YSAS
"The ability to discreetly alert team members and emergency services has been crucial for our team’s safety." – Ishmeen Chawla, ICT Officer, YSAS
Satisfaction with Duress: 10/10
Satisfaction with Duress training: 10/10
Overall sense of team safety improvement: 9/10
Likely to recommend Duress: 8.5/10
Key Stats Highlight:
Multiple dangerous situations averted with Duress Falcon.
10/10 satisfaction with Duress’s training and support.
Increased staff confidence in handling high-risk situations.
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