Protective Equipment
for Special Education and Mental Health Settings
Certified body armour for SEN
Discreet, certified protection for SEN teachers, carers, and support staff
Professionals working in special educational needs (SEN) and mental health environments often face injuries resulting from accidental or impulsive behaviours. Whether in schools, care homes, or mental health units, safety and compassion must go hand in hand.
Working in Special Educational Needs (SEN) and mental health environments means providing care, structure, and stability to people facing complex emotional or behavioural challenges and playing a vital role in supporting individuals with complex emotional, behavioural, and cognitive needs. This vital work can also expose staff to unintentional harm, such as biting, scratching, or physical outbursts, often during moments of distress or crisis.
As a result, we have developed discreet, comfortable, and effective protective solutions for frontline professionals in these sectors. We designed bite-resistant garments to help protect the professionals who provide this essential support, which is why schools, mental health units, and care facilities across the UK trust our protective clothing.
Our protective clothing help staff feel confident and safe to continue building trust and connection with the people in their care. Incidents may arise unexpectedly and are rarely malicious, but they can still seriously harm staff, reduce confidence, and impact service quality. The right protection helps professionals feel safer and better supported in their roles, enabling them to remain calm, compassionate, and focused.
At Defence Composites, we provide protective clothing and body armour designed for frontline staff working with children, young people, and adults with additional needs.
From bite-resistant sleeves and gloves to lightweight, discreet body armour, our products help reduce the risk of injury while maintaining dignity and trust for those in your care.
Our bite-resistant range is:
Flexible, lightweight and breathable
for long shifts in active environments
Soft-lined
to avoid discomfort, allow freedom of movement and preserve rapport
Worn under or over clothing
- depending on your needs, offering discreet protection that does not alarm or intimidate
Customisable
to different job roles and risk levels, to meet the unique needs of your setting
Front-only vest
developed specifically for SEN and mental health settings, combining moulded polycarbonate panels, impact foam, and a water-resistant PU cover to help protect against blunt force, bites, kicks, and hypodermic needles
Easy to clean and maintain
- built for daily use in care and education settings
Trusted by Mental Health and Special Education Professionals Across the UK
From violence reduction teams and SEN teachers to carers, behavioural support staff, and therapists, our protective solutions are trusted by professionals who need reliable protection that supports, not hinders, empathetic care.
Designed and manufactured in the UK, our PPE is lightweight, discreet, and developed with input from front-line workers.
We understand each setting differs, so we offer personalised advice and product recommendations based on your team’s day-to-day reality.
We supply protective garments to:
SEN schools and colleges
NHS mental health units
Residential care and supported living services
Behavioural support teams and crisis response units
What Our Customers Say
"The garments are excellent. Our experience with other products meant we knew exactly what we needed, and Defence Composites delivered. Great range, high-quality materials, and a professional finish. The service has been excellent from the very start. From the initial introduction to building a strong working relationship, the support has been second to none. What stands out is your willingness to understand our specific needs. You listened, took on feedback, worked with us to develop the right products, and delivered from day one."
— Craig Barrington, Group Health and Safety Officer at SENAD.
Let's Work Together
Explore our full range of protective solutions for SEN and mental health professionals, built to support calm, confident care in sensitive environments. We work directly with schools, NHS trusts, care providers, and private facilities to understand their needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
From protective vests to bite-resistant armguards, we can help you create a safer working environment while maintaining the compassion and respect your service users deserve.
Talk to a Specialist in Bite Resistant Protection
Let’s create a safer work environment together