Level 01 – De-Escalation

Managing Challenging Behaviour for Education

Teachers, teaching assistants, cover supervisors and pastoral staff manage disruptive, defiant and emotionally charged behaviour every day – most of it low risk in terms of physical harm, but high in cumulative pressure on confidence, wellbeing and classroom time.

This introductory programme gives staff the core communication and de-escalation skills to recognise behaviour early, respond consistently, and stay in control without it turning into a battle of wills.

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Duration 4 Hours
Delivery Methods
  • In person
  • Standpoint
  • Affiliated Trainer Programme
Assessments
  • OBSERVATION
  • PARTICIPATION
  • DISCUSSION
a group of students learning in class

•01COURSE OVERVIEW

Building the core communication and decision-making skills education staff need to recognise, reduce, and safely manage everyday challenging behaviour.

Learners explore early behavioural indicators, structured de-escalation methods, and the foundations of dynamic risk assessment adapted for a learning environment.

The course emphasises proportionate, consistent responses aligned with your behaviour policy, helping staff maintain authority without confrontation, reduce escalation, and support calmer, more predictable outcomes for both pupils and staff.

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• 02 THE IMPACT

How this training helps your organisation

  • Builds consistent, whole-school responses to disruptive and defiant behaviour, so pupils experience the same boundaries regardless of who's in the room
  • Improves staff confidence and communication under pressure – in the classroom, at the school gate, or covering an unfamiliar class
  • Reduces avoidable escalation, lost learning time, and unnecessary behaviour referrals
  • Strengthens consistent, defensible decision-making that supports your behaviour policy and stands up to scrutiny from governors, parents, and Ofsted
  • Enhances the quality of incident recording to support safeguarding, behaviour monitoring, and exclusion-reduction data
  • Supports staff wellbeing and retention through clearer boundaries and less day-to-day conflict fatigue
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Headteacher in a classroom

•03.RISKS ADDRESSED

In lower-risk environments, the dangers are easy to underestimate. Without the right training, your staff may:

Checklist icon Escalate situations unintentionally through unclear, inconsistent, or reactive responses to low-level disruption
Checklist icon Miss early warning signs of frustration, distress, or escalating behaviour until it’s already disrupting the lesson
Checklist icon Apply inconsistent boundaries across staff and settings, undermining behaviour policy and pupil trust
Checklist icon Respond in ways that increase confrontation rather than defuse it – particularly with pupils who have SEND, trauma histories, or additional needs
Checklist icon Fail to recognise when to seek support or hand over to a pastoral colleague
Checklist icon Under-report incidents, limiting the school’s ability to identify patterns, support pupils, and evidence behaviour management to Ofsted

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:

  1. 01 Recognise and manage the three types of risk. 
  2. 02 Avoid common causes of bias.
  3. 03 Recognise early indicators of distress, frustration, and escalating behaviour.
  4. 04 Assess risk dynamically and make proportionate, defensible decisions during challenging encounters.
  5. 05 Apply structured communication techniques to reduce tension and maintain control of interactions.
  6. 06 Use clear, professional language that supports deescalation and reduces ambiguity.
  7. 07 Apply ‘transactional analysis’ principles to communicate effectively under pressure.
  8. 08 Set boundaries and deliver difficult messages without increasing conflict.
  9. 09 Adapt their approach to suit different behavioural presentations, contexts, and service environments.
  10. 10 Implement safe, ethical, and organisation aligned strategies for managing aggression.
  11. 11 Recognise the potential emotional impact of challenging interactions and access appropriate post incident support
  12. 12 Record and report incidents accurately to support organisational learning and safeguarding.
  13. 13 Reflect on their own responses and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
  14. 14 Maintain personal composure and emotional regulation under pressure.
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NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board
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.

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• 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 drawn from real classroom situations, and supported reflective practice. Every session is adapted to reflect your school’s behaviour policy, pupil population, 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, from NQTs to experienced pastoral leads.

•07.Frequently asked questions

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

Contact Us Talk to us on 01952 928134
Is this course suitable for staff with no previous behaviour management training?
Yes. This is an introductory programme designed for staff of all experience levels, from teaching assistants to newly qualified teachers. No prior conflict management training is required.
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 consistent decision-making. Physical intervention is covered at Level 3.
Is this suitable for mainstream schools, SEND settings, and PRUs alike?
Yes. The core principles apply across settings, and every session is adapted to reflect the specific pupil population, behaviour policy, and risk profile of your school or college.
How does this training align with our behaviour policy and Ofsted expectations?
The course is built around consistent, proportionate, defensible responses – the same standard Ofsted looks for under the Behaviour and Attitudes judgement. We work with you to make sure the language and strategies taught reinforce, rather than compete with, your existing behaviour policy.
Can this course help reduce exclusions and internal referrals?
Many schools bring in this training specifically to give staff better tools for managing behaviour before it escalates to a formal sanction or exclusion – reducing lost learning time and unnecessary referrals to pastoral teams.
Does Stand2 training come with a certificate?
Yes. Every participant receives a uniquely numbered Stand2 certificate and is added to your school’s Stand2 Training Register.
How do you ensure the training is psychologically safe for participants?
All sessions use trauma-informed facilitation. No one is required to take part in anything they’re uncomfortable with, and the course is paced to suit mixed-experience groups.
Can this course be built around our specific setting – mainstream, SEND, or PRU?
Yes. Every programme starts with a conversation about your pupil population, current behaviour policy, and the situations your staff are actually facing.
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
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
Osagie Justice
Very well structured course and effectively taught. Techniques and solutions were very helpful.
Nathan
Nathan
Very good! Other security companys should learn this Easy to learn
Kieran Fleming
Kieran Fleming
Dinujan
Dinujan
Fantastic course, gave a really easy to remember process for handling conflict management. Trainers were great, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rebecca Percox
Rebecca Percox
Really course, tutors were great especially Chris who made it fun and interactive
Marie Bryant
Marie Bryant
Really enjoyed the training Dave and Chris are very engaging
Ryan Jackson
Ryan Jackson
Engaging PowerPoint, really good instructors, time to practice techniques
Emily Rowlands
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
Florian Paun