Level 01 – De-Escalation

Managing Challenging Behaviour for Healthcare

A practical, risk-aware introduction to recognising, reducing, and managing early-stage conflict safely and professionally in healthcare settings. Designed for clinical and non-clinical staff who encounter challenging or distressed patient and visitor behaviour, but where the risk of physical harm is low.

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       Google rating 
  5.0

Duration 4 Hours

Delivery Methods

In person
Standpoint
Affiliated Trainer Programme

Assessments

OBSERVATION
PARTICIPATION
DISCUSSION

Two women having a friendly conversation in an office, one smiling warmly at the other

•01COURSE OVERVIEW

Building the core communication and decision-making skills healthcare staff need to recognise, reduce, and safely manage emerging conflict with patients and visitors.

Learners explore early behavioural indicators specific to healthcare settings – frustration over appointment delays, clinical pressures, or long waits – alongside structured de-escalation methods and the foundations of dynamic risk assessment.

The course emphasises proportionate, ethical responses aligned with NHS and organisational policy, helping staff maintain professionalism, reduce escalation, and support safer, more consistent outcomes across GP practices, clinics, and other primary and community care settings.

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• 02 HOW THIS TRAINING HELPS

How this training helps your organisation

Builds consistent, professional responses to challenging patient and visitor behaviour across clinical and non-clinical teams
Improves staff confidence and communication during appointment disputes, clinical pressures, and long waits
Reduces avoidable escalation and disruption to patient care and appointment schedules
Strengthens proportionate, defensible decision-making aligned with NHS policy and professional standards
Enhances quality of incident reporting to support safeguarding, learning, and CQC assurance
Supports staff wellbeing through clearer boundaries and structured approaches to difficult patient interactions

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A male nurse takes a patients blood pressure in hospital

•03.RISKS ADDRESSED

In healthcare settings, these risks are easy to underestimate. Without the right training, your staff may:

Escalate situations unintentionally through unclear or reactive communication with an already anxious or frustrated patient

Miss early warning signs of frustration, distress, or escalating behaviour linked to pain, long waits, or clinical pressure

Make inconsistent or non-defensible decisions during challenging encounters at reception, in clinic, or during a consultation

Respond in ways that increase tension or put patient care and appointment continuity at risk

Fail to recognise when withdrawal or seeking support is the safest option in a clinical setting

Under-report incidents, limiting your practice’s or organisation’s ability to identify patterns and meet CQC assurance expectations

The good news is that this is entirely preventable. That’s what this course is for.

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• 04 LEARNING OUTCOMES

Here’s what your staff will be able to do differently:

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Recognise and manage the three types of risk.

• 04 LEARNING OUTCOMES

Here’s what your staff will be able to do differently:

01 Recognise and manage the three types of risk.
02 Avoid common causes of bias.
03 Recognise early indicators of distress, frustration, and escalating behaviour.
04 Assess risk dynamically and make proportionate, defensible decisions during challenging encounters.
05 Apply structured communication techniques to reduce tension and maintain control of interactions.
06 Use clear, professional language that supports deescalation and reduces ambiguity.
07 Apply ‘transactional analysis’ principles to communicate effectively under pressure.
08 Set boundaries and deliver difficult messages without increasing conflict.
09 Adapt their approach to suit different behavioural presentations, contexts, and service environments.
10 Implement safe, ethical, and organisation aligned strategies for managing aggression.
11 Recognise the potential emotional impact of challenging interactions and access appropriate post incident support
12 Record and report incidents accurately to support organisational learning and safeguarding.
13 Reflect on their own responses and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
14 Maintain personal composure and emotional regulation under pressure.

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NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board

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05 CASE STUDY

Black Country Integrated Care Board – Primary Care Network Support

Stand2 delivered training to GP practices across the Black Country region, supporting GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, receptionists, pharmacists, administrative teams, and practice managers. The training focused on equipping staff with practical skills to manage challenging patient interactions that can arise in day-to-day primary care settings, particularly around appointments, clinical pressures, and service demand. Following the training, staff reported greater confidence, clearer communication when navigating difficult conversations, and a more consistent approach across teams.

A woman in a blue top speaks with a colleague in a modern office, with other coworkers conversing in the background

• 06 Course Delivery & Assessment

Training that’s built around how people actually learn – not just what they need to know.

Delivery: This course is delivered in person through a blend of structured discussion, scenario-based examples, and supported reflective practice. Every session is adapted to reflect your organisation’s environment, policies, and the real situations your staff face. StandPoint, our online learning platform, supports the programme with additional resources and materials.

Assessment: Learning is assessed through observation, participation, and engagement in practical communication exercises. There are no formal written exams – assessment is continuous, realistic, and based on how staff apply what they’ve learned.

Certification: Every participant who successfully completes the programme is formally certified by Stand2, receiving a uniquely numbered certificate that confirms they have met the programme’s assessed standards. Each delegate is entered onto the Stand2 Training Register, which we maintain on your behalf – giving your organisation a clear, auditable record of who has been trained and when refresher training is due.

Training environment: All sessions are delivered using trauma-informed practice, ensuring psychological safety throughout. No participant is asked to take part in any activity they are uncomfortable with. The course is suitable for staff with varying levels of prior experience.

•07.Frequently asked questions

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Call us or drop us a message.

Talk to us on 01952 928134

Is this course suitable for staff with no previous conflict management training?

Yes. This is an introductory programme designed for staff of all experience levels. No prior conflict management training is required – all essential foundations are covered within the session.

Does the course include any physical intervention skills?

No. Physical intervention is not appropriate for this risk level and is not included. This programme focuses entirely on communication, de-escalation, and proportionate decision-making. Physical intervention skills are covered at Level 3.

Is conflict management training a legal requirement for healthcare organisations?

Employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to assess foreseeable risks to their staff, and CQC-regulated healthcare organisations carry additional expectations around staff safety as part of demonstrating a ‘safe’ service. Where staff face challenging or aggressive patient and visitor behaviour, appropriate training is one of the most direct control measures available, and one the HSE is explicit organisations should have in place. For most healthcare providers, conflict management training is not optional – it’s part of meeting that legal and regulatory obligation.

Is this course suitable for both clinical and non-clinical healthcare staff?

Yes. This course is suitable for any healthcare role where staff encounter challenging, distressed, or emotionally charged behaviour with a low risk of physical harm – including GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, receptionists, pharmacists, administrative teams, and practice managers. If the physical risk in your setting is higher – for example, in emergency or acute mental health environments – get in touch and we’ll help you identify the more appropriate programme.

How does this training help organisations meet their duty of care?

Healthcare organisations have a duty of care to protect their staff from foreseeable risks, including aggression from patients and visitors. This programme gives staff the communication skills, situational awareness, and decision-making frameworks to recognise and manage challenging behaviour safely and proportionately. Every participant is formally certified by Stand2 and entered onto the Stand2 Training Register – giving your organisation a clear, auditable record that demonstrates your commitment to staff safety and supports both your duty of care and CQC assurance requirements.

Can this course be built around our specific service environment?

Yes. Every Stand2 programme is built around your organisation’s specific policies, risk profile, and the real situations your staff face – whether that’s a GP reception, an outpatient clinic, or a community pharmacy. Where helpful, we carry out a Training Needs Analysis beforehand to ensure the content, scenarios, and examples are directly relevant to your teams and your clinical setting.

Does Stand2 training come with a certificate?

Yes. Every participant who successfully completes the programme is formally certified by Stand2 and issued with a uniquely numbered completion certificate. Each delegate is also entered onto the Stand2 Training Register, which we maintain on your behalf – providing your organisation with a clear, auditable record of who has been trained and when refresher training is due.

How do you ensure the training is psychologically safe for participants?

All Stand2 programmes are delivered using trauma-informed principles. Participation in all activities is by choice, discussions are managed sensitively, and no participant is placed in a situation they find uncomfortable. Sessions are facilitated to ensure psychological safety throughout, making the training accessible and appropriate for staff with a wide range of prior experiences.

Will this training stand up to CQC scrutiny and our safeguarding procedures?

Yes. Where necessary, we work with you beforehand to understand your policies, escalation routes, and service expectations – ensuring the programme is fully aligned with your organisational procedures and defensible if scrutinised by a safeguarding panel, regulator, or CQC inspection. This is particularly important for healthcare providers, where safeguarding compliance is a constant priority.

How often should staff refresh this training?

Stand2 recommends a refresher interval of 36 months for this programme. The refresher course follows the same 4-hour format as the initial programme. Stand2 will proactively notify you when your staff are approaching their refresher date through the Stand2 Training Register.

•08.Start the conversation

This course is ideal for organisations where staff encounter challenging, distressed, or emotionally charged interactions but where the physical risk of harm is low.

If you’re responsible for staff safety, service quality, or organisational compliance, we can help.

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Google Reviews

At Stand2 we go above and beyond to understand and meet your expectations. Here are some of our recent reviews.

As the trusted leader in conflict management, personal safety, and physical intervention training, we aim to elevate standards across the UK and beyond by bringing evidence-based practice, operational credibility, and expert instruction to every sector we serve.

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Excellent. Done a few courses over the years regarding conflict management and this was the best. Relaxed teaching and no one was afraid to make a mistake or ask any questions. Enjoyed this much more than my recent SIA renewal in all honesty.

Nick Clay

Really thoughtful and experienced teachers. After the training I felt really confident in conflict resolution and physical intervention. Thank you now I know how to protect myself, the general public and my organisation if a situation comes up.

Osagie Justice

Very well structured course and effectively taught. Techniques and solutions were very helpful.

Nathan

Very good! Other security companys should learn this Easy to learn

Kieran Fleming

Dinujan

Fantastic course, gave a really easy to remember process for handling conflict management. Trainers were great, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rebecca Percox

Really course, tutors were great especially Chris who made it fun and interactive

Marie Bryant

Really enjoyed the training Dave and Chris are very engaging

Ryan Jackson

Engaging PowerPoint, really good instructors, time to practice techniques

Emily Rowlands

I recently completed training at Stand2 and had a great experience. The course was well organised, engaging and delivered by Chris C, who explained everything clearly using practical, real-life examples. The training has given me greater confidence in managing conflict, assessing risk, and keeping myself and others safe. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to develop these important skills.

Florian Paun

Level 01 – De-Escalation

Managing Challenging Behaviour for Healthcare

•01COURSE OVERVIEW

Building the core communication and decision-making skills healthcare staff need to recognise, reduce, and safely manage emerging conflict with patients and visitors.

How this training helps your organisation

•03.RISKS ADDRESSED

In healthcare settings, these risks are easy to underestimate. Without the right training, your staff may:

The good news is that this is entirely preventable. That’s what this course is for.

Here’s what your staff will be able to do differently:

Training that’s built around how people actually learn – not just what they need to know.

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Fast Access

STAY CONNECTED

Level 01 – De-Escalation

Managing Challenging Behaviour for Healthcare

•01COURSE OVERVIEW

Building the core communication and decision-making skills healthcare staff need to recognise, reduce, and safely manage emerging conflict with patients and visitors.

How this training helps your organisation

•03.RISKS ADDRESSED

In healthcare settings, these risks are easy to underestimate. Without the right training, your staff may:

The good news is that this is entirely preventable. That’s what this course is for.

Here’s what your staff will be able to do differently:

Training that’s built around how people actually learn – not just what they need to know.

Page Links

Fast Access

STAY CONNECTED

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