This course builds awareness of the causes of distressed or challenging behaviour in adults with neurodivergent conditions and mental health needs. It develops understanding of trauma, communication, and the impact of unmet needs or environmental stressors.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Define challenging, disruptive, and hazardous behaviours within neurodiversity and mental health contexts.

• Identify triggers, causes, and functions of behaviour, including sensory, emotional, and environmental factors.

• Apply trauma-informed and person-centred approaches that promote trust, autonomy, and dignity.

• Communicate effectively using calm, consistent verbal and non-verbal skills that reduce anxiety.

• Recognise emotional impact, manage personal responses, and maintain professionalism during incidents.

• Understand the legal, ethical, and human rights frameworks guiding safe and least-restrictive practice.

This course develops confidence in preventing escalation and managing direct contact safely using non-restrictive disengagement skills. It is suited to supported living, residential, or mental health settings where staff may face low to moderate levels of risk.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Define challenging, disruptive, and hazardous behaviours within neurodiversity and mental health contexts.

• Identify triggers, causes, and functions of behaviour, including sensory, emotional, and environmental factors.

• Apply trauma-informed and person-centred approaches that promote trust, autonomy, and dignity.

• Communicate effectively using calm, consistent verbal and non-verbal skills that reduce anxiety.

• Recognise emotional impact, manage personal responses, and maintain professionalism during incidents.

• Understand the legal, ethical, and human rights frameworks guiding safe and least-restrictive practice.

• Apply proactive prevention and early intervention strategies to reduce escalation.

• Demonstrate safe, non-restrictive disengagement techniques such as wrist, arm, or clothing releases and safe withdrawal from contact.

This course builds on the content of the Foundations and Disengagements, deepening understanding of situational awareness, and trauma-informed practice. Learners progress from theoretical knowledge and preventative strategies into the safe application of low-level restrictive interventions suitable for adult mental health and Learning Disability environments. The focus remains on proportionality, teamwork, and reflective practice, ensuring any intervention upholds safety, dignity, and therapeutic intent.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Define challenging, disruptive, and hazardous behaviours within neurodiversity and mental health contexts.

• Identify triggers, causes, and functions of behaviour, including sensory, emotional, and environmental factors.

• Apply trauma-informed and person-centred approaches that promote trust, autonomy, and dignity.

• Communicate effectively using calm, consistent verbal and non-verbal skills that reduce anxiety.

• Recognise emotional impact, manage personal responses, and maintain professionalism during incidents.

• Understand the legal, ethical, and human rights frameworks guiding safe and least-restrictive practice.

• Apply proactive prevention and early intervention strategies to reduce escalation.

• Demonstrate safe, non-restrictive disengagement techniques such as wrist, arm, or clothing releases and safe withdrawal from contact.

• Perform safe, proportionate standing and seated holds appropriate for adult care and mental health environments.

• Work effectively within a team, maintaining clear communication and coordinated responses throughout intervention.

This course builds on the Intermediate Plus, reinforcing key principles of communication, trauma-informed care, and safe restrictive practice. It introduces emergency safe holds and higher-level physical interventions, tailored to the specific needs and risk profile of each organisation. Depending on the techniques required, the course runs over four or five days. Emphasis remains on proportionality, teamwork, and reflective practice, ensuring all interventions prioritise safety, dignity, and therapeutic intent.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Define challenging, disruptive, and hazardous behaviours within neurodiversity and mental health contexts.

• Identify triggers, causes, and functions of behaviour, including sensory, emotional, and environmental factors.

• Apply trauma-informed and person-centred approaches that promote trust, autonomy, and dignity.

• Communicate effectively using calm, consistent verbal and non-verbal skills that reduce anxiety.

• Recognise emotional impact, manage personal responses, and maintain professionalism during incidents.

• Understand the legal, ethical, and human rights frameworks guiding safe and least-restrictive practice.

• Apply proactive prevention and early intervention strategies to reduce escalation.

• Demonstrate safe, non-restrictive disengagement techniques such as wrist, arm, or clothing releases and safe withdrawal from contact.

• Perform safe, proportionate standing and seated holds appropriate for adult care and mental health environments.

• Work effectively within a team, maintaining clear communication and coordinated responses throughout intervention.

• Apply advanced restrictive and floor-based techniques safely and confidently in high-risk situations where necessary.

• Evaluate, debrief, and contribute to reflective learning that supports restraint reduction and ongoing service improvement.