What Is the NHS Conflict Resolution Course?

The NHS Conflict Resolution course is "Conflict Resolution - Level 1," the statutory e-learning module in the UK Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF), developed by Skills for Health. It's mandatory for all frontline NHS staff and professionals whose work brings them into direct contact with the public, usually completed via e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) or a trust's own platform.

The module covers the causes of conflict, techniques for managing aggressive or challenging behaviour, and the legal boundaries of reasonable force. It's a short e-learning session plus an assessment, refreshed roughly every three years.

Passing it satisfies the statutory requirement, but it's self-paced and online - not a substitute for hands-on practice. Trusts typically pair it with in-person training like Stand2's Managing Challenging & Aggressive Behaviour Training for Healthcare, which builds on the e-learning with real de-escalation scenarios. For staff outside a specific sector pathway, our full conflict management training course covers the same practical skills in more depth.