Crisis Intervention Training for Dealing with Distressed Persons
How to respond to a person in crisis who has Autism, Learning Disability, Mental Ill Health or any person who is presenting with distressed behaviour.
Crisis Intervention Training ensures that staff will be able to respond effectively to crisis behaviours presented by the people they may encounter in their work, regardless of the nature of the diagnosis or cause. Staff will learn how to deploy broad strategies which help to defuse situations and prevent them from escalating even in the initial absence of complete information about the causes or drivers of the vulnerable person’s behaviour.
Crisis Intervention Training Topic 1) Understanding Behaviour
Staff will be able to use a common framework to describe the phases, intensity and risk level of behaviour they are dealing with.
Our aim in this session will be to ensure that all staff attending the session have a framework of understanding in relation to the escalation and de-escalation of behaviour during an incident. We will use the Kaplan/Wheeler curve as a key touchstone upon which we will layer information about:
- Coping Behaviours
- Triggers of Escalated Behaviour and Cues
- Escalation-phase characteristics
- Crisis-phase options
- Insights into the Post-Crisis phase
- Post-Crisis recording and reporting
Crisis Intervention Training Topic 2) The Social Contract in your Service
Staff will show an understanding of the underlying ethos which must drive behaviour management throughout the school, fostering a common approach to interactions and communications which consistently strengthen core values of “treating each person with dignity by showing them respect” in every encounter.
- Establishing the Social Contract for your Service
- “How We Do Business” maxims for effective communication – for everyone.
- The goal of Voluntary Compliance, Cooperation or Collaboration
- The ‘Gateway Behaviours’ Concept
Crisis Intervention Training Topic 3) Staff Behaviours
Staff will explore and demonstrate fundamental models of communication which demonstrate the value-base established in the previous session. Once we have decided “How we do business?” there must be specific verbalisation strategies which consistently demonstrate this ethos.
- The Platinum Rule
- The Five Maxims for Effective Communication
- The ‘Showtime’ Concept for Professional Presence
- Having a Pre-Planned, Practiced Response in Mind
Crisis Intervention Training Topic 4) Non-Escalation and De-Escalation
Staff will be able to apply a range of different verbal and non-verbal tactics which are non-physical, to reduce the risk of escalation or to defuse situations which are escalating.
Our aim in this session will be to establish the basic elements of good communication (how to show people respect in every encounter) and then build upon those to enable staff to use The Special Needs Strategies (from our ‘Verbal Defense and Influence’ programme) to manage crisis episodes more effectively. For example:
- Initial Contacts (e.g. when challenging a person’s behaviour)
- Dealing with Verbal Abuse or Intimidation
- Managing Resistance to Request
- Listening in order to Lead Behaviour
Crisis Interventions for Persons with Special Needs:
- Reduce Stimulation
- Isolate and Support
- Using Adapted Communication
- Manage the Unmet Need
‘If you want them to be still, be still.
If you want them keep their distance, back up.
If you want them to relax, be calm.’
This is our Crisis Intervention course for persons who will be the ‘First Person on-Scene’ at a crisis moment.
- Establishing consistency in response
- Optimising Responder Behaviours
- Adapted Communication Strategies for Non-Escalation
- De-Escalation using Adapted Communication Strategies
- Crisis Communications
- Last-Resort Physical Alternatives when Words Alone Fail
WHAT: a tailored course for your care team which is based on National Level Guidance on the Management of Challenging /Distressed Behaviour combined with a tried-and-tested programme of crisis intervention communications.
WHEN: on a day of your choice at a time which is convenient for your team
WHERE: at your facility, in a large open room or gym hall large enough to carry out the training safely
HOW LONG: 3-hour introductory sessions, fundamental one-day or comprehensive two- and three-day programmes.
WHO: Any person at any level of an organisation who might be called upon to communicate with a person reaching a crisis-point. Our typical groups are teams of up to – or multiples of – 12 staff. We can by arrangement train large groups.
WHY: ✓ Matched to your context and needs ✓ Led by Professional Special Needs StrategiesTrainer ✓ Legally Audited to match National Level Guidance ✓ Values Dignity and Respect for appropriate communications and interventions where necessary ✓ Safeguards Vulnerable Person’s rights ✓ Offers your Staff Practical Options for scenarios ✓ Compliant with Government Regulations ✓ Value for Your Investment
“Thanks gerard for an enjoyable, informative and useful training course. i now feel that i have some tools that i can use that are effective, safe and legal. The day after the training i was in a situation which required some physical intervention. i mentally went through the check list (necessary? any other option? last resort?) I was then able to use a technique that gerard had shown us which quickly calmed the person down and resolved the situation. great!”
Special Needs Behaviour Support Specialist – Suffolk UK
“Gerard was very professional at all times. Recommended to our Head Teachers’ local delivery group – this training would benefit all of our local schools. Excellent. Thank you.”
Deputy Head Teacher, Bedfordshire, UK
“Having participated in 3 different training providers for positive handling in my career of working with children with challenging behaviour, this was the best in terms of meeting our needs and installing confidence in dealing with the physical side of managing behaviour. Many thanks.”
Behaviour Management Consultant in Essex
- 2018 FEEDBACK SURVEY: The training course from Dynamis fulfilled or exceeded expectations 98.1% 98.1%
- Our Dynamis instructor had a very good or excellent level of knowledge and competence 97.4% 97.4%
- The theory and knowledge components helped me professionally 99.6% 99.6%
- The techniques and tactics were appropriate to real scenarios in our work 97.3% 97.3%
- Our Dynamis trainer observed good Health and Safety practices 99.4% 99.4%
- The Dynamis training course was of the right duration to gain the skills and knowledge I needed 89.9% 89.9%