This tool is designed to help Victorian mental health and wellbeing services identify, assess and reduce environmental ligature risks. It provides a standardised, evidence-based approach that supports consistent practice across the sector, helping to:
- strengthen governance
- improve safety
- enhance care for mental health consumers.
These guidance resources build on our 2024 clinical guidance, Improving safety for consumers at risk of harm of ligature.
How to use these resources
Ligature Point Audit Tool
Use the Ligature Point Audit Tool to identify and assess ligature risks.
To make sure the tool functions correctly, please turn on macros.
The tool is designed to complement, not replace, existing safety processes and policies.
Supporting guidance
Use the Supporting guidance document to find practical instructions to use the tool effectively.
Where the tool should be used
The tool is currently recommended for use in the following types of settings:
- Community-based mental health and wellbeing services
- Inpatient mental health and wellbeing services
- Non-acute care settings, such as rehabilitation and extended care
- Residential mental health and wellbeing services
- Combined mental health and alcohol or drug support hubs (MHAOD)
- Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Units (PAPU)
- Forensic mental health services
The tool is currently not intended for use in the following settings:
- Alcohol and other drug services (both residential and community-based)
- Consultation liaison services
- Hospital emergency departments
- General medical and surgical inpatient wards.
These areas will be reviewed after six months to see how the tool is being used, gather feedback, and decide whether to expand its use.
When to implement the tool
We encourage services to implement the tool:
- annually
- after capital or infrastructure changes.