Empower Your Staff with Expert PMVA Training and Techniques
Our PMVA training is based on a person-centred approach to conflict and difficult behaviour using the Able Target System and is a fully accredited course with the British Institute of Learning Disabilities Association of Certified Trainers (BILD – ACT) and the Institute of Conflict Management (ICM). All training is fully compliant with the current requirements of the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) and meets all RRN standards.
PMVA training explores the prevention and management of aggression and challenging behaviour, including physical and non-physical defence strategies suitable for the NHS, CQC organisations, agencies and other care settings. The course also includes advanced physical intervention skills tailored to meet the needs and requirements of the setting and environment.
Our PMVA training is based on a person-centred approach to conflict, hazardous behaviour and behaviours that challenge using strategies of proactive and responsive service delivery, therapeutic and empathetic care and trauma-informed practice, with the use of physical intervention and restraint as an absolute last resort.
What you'll learn.
PMVA Training explores the prevention and management of aggression and behaviours that challenge using the Able Target System. The Able Target System utilises a 6 stage model for behavioural management and personal safety that uses a three-tiered hierarchy of preventative, proactive and responsive strategies that blend person-centred care, trauma-informed models, positive behavioural support and therapeutic approaches. The course also includes training in the use of physical intervention to manage high-risk situations and bring about a safe resolution to a dangerous incident or situation.
Our PMVA Training utilises the Able Target System, which has been praised as being more in-depth, more specific to the setting it’s being delivered to, and more thought-provoking than other training systems on the market by those who have attended it. All physical skills taught on our training courses have been independently medically risk assessed by a physiotherapist, clinical psychologist and people with lived experience and are also regularly pressure tested and amended to ensure they are effective, safe, and easy to learn. The techniques have been praised as surpassing expectations by those who have undergone our training.
All organisations who undergo accredited training will get access to our online Able Training Hub and have full access to with numerous resources, access, restraint reduction materials, risk assessments, and videos of all techniques taught.
PMVA 3-day Training course
The first two days of the PMVA course cover the required 12 hours of theoretical instruction required to meet the standards of the Restraint Reduction Network. Attending delegates will learn and explore the causes of challenging behaviour and preventative and pro-active strategies for reducing and managing behaviours of concern and hazardous behaviour, focused on a person-centred approach using principles of positive behavioural support and trauma-informed practice. Delegates will then explore recognition of de-escalation and strategies for managing a situation once it has escalated, dynamic risk assessment principles to help stay safe and recognise the appropriate course of action to take, including an understanding of the law behind physical intervention and reasonable force, and when such approaches might be justified.
Staff will then learn physical techniques including disengagement, defence from strikes and kicks, as well as breakaway techniques to help escape from unwanted wrist, hair and clothing grabs, including escape from strangulation.
On day three of the PMVA course delegates will learn and explore the law and risks associated with restrictive practice and restrictive physical intervention, including the justification for restraint and when restraint can and can’t be used, with an emphasis on physical intervention being the last resort to control the risk of a highly dangerous situation when no other options are available, or all other options have been explored.
Delegates will then learn a variety of restrictive and non-restrictive physical intervention skills including relocation and guiding techniques, safe holding and appropriate restraint techniques including standing and seated stabilisation positions. Staff will learn how to safely approach a dangerous situation as a team using a minimum of 2 people, and place someone into a restraint while keeping themselves protected against strikes.
PMVA 4–5 Day Training: Recommended for High-Risk Environments
Our 4–5 Day PMVA Training allows for additional training in advanced physical intervention skills and restraint for settings that require them. The physical skills training goes to a higher level of intensity exploring scenarios and situations and giving staff additional time to practice and improve their skills. Advanced techniques include safely taking someone to the floor and holding them in place, and moving someone on the floor while maintaining restraint in a way that is safe and respectful. (Additional physical intervention training in pod holds, seclusion and chemical sedation can also be included dependant on setting, risk assessment and a thorough training needs analysis.)
The course content is as above but we include a full day of conflict management, managing challenging behaviour and de-escalation training before we progress to the physical skills. The physical skills training goes to a higher level of intensity exploring scenarios and situations and giving staff additional time to practice and improve their skills.
Who is PMVA Training (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) for?
Our PMVA training course has been certified by BILD ACT as suitable for the education, health, and social care sectors, providing services for Adults or Children.
The physical intervention techniques taught on the course have been independently medically risk assessed by the Institute of Conflict Management and incorporates techniques that are taught within the guidelines of, NHS Protect, BILD (British Institute of Learning Disabilities), the Department of Education and the Department of Health and meet standards of other commercially driven training systems that teach control & restraint and physical intervention techniques
Every organisation will receive a training needs analysis which will ensure the level of course and techniques taught meet the specific needs of the setting and the individuals they support. Practical skills will be taught within the context of the dynamic risk assessment and the focus of the techniques taught will vary on the organisational needs. Our 3 Day PMVA Training is aimed at low-risk environments whilst our 4-5 day PMVA Training is aimed at high-risk environments which require staff to step past the lower risk techniques due to the level of aggression or situation.
What are the learning outcomes?
- List the possible causes of challenging behaviour.
- Demonstrate de-escalation principles in the event of aggression.
- Define the term ‘reasonable force’ and apply its principles.
- Understand the law relating to Self Defence and Physical Intervention.
- Perform a dynamic risk assessment.
- Identify the importance of recording and debriefing.
- Demonstrate effective defensive physical techniques including- wrist, hair, throat and clothing grabs, punches, kicks, third party assistance and escorting/guiding techniques.
- Demonstrate effective 1– 3 person restraint techniques in standing, walking and sitting positions (can include bed).
- Practice and reflect the importance of ‘Letting Go’ safely.
- Demonstrate higher level restraints in standing, kneeling and sitting positions.
- Support an individual in a floor position and relocate them from the floor.
- Practice effective escalation and de-escalation of techniques.
- Download course brochure
