2-Day PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression)
Empower staff with practical techniques to safely disengage from physical threats. Ideal for frontline workers in high-risk environments.
2-day PMVA Training Course
Course Overview
This 2-day PMVA training course is designed to equip staff with the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence to safely and lawfully manage violence and aggression in the workplace.
The training promotes positive behaviour support, communication, de-escalation, and risk reduction, with a strong emphasis on least restrictive and person-centred approaches.
Participants will learn to recognise early warning signs of aggression, apply preventative strategies, and, only where necessary, use safe and proportionate physical interventions.
This course aligns with national best practice standards, relevant legislation, and regulatory expectations, including CQC, NICE guidelines, and Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance.
Who is this course for?
The course is suitable for staff working in mental health, healthcare, learning disability services, residential care, or any setting where there may be a risk of violence or aggression.
- Mental Health Staff (Acute, PICU, Forensic, Community)
- Learning Disability & Autism Support Staff
- Nurses, HCAs, and Clinical Support Workers
- Security and Patient Escort Teams
- Residential and Supported Living Staff
- Social Workers and Crisis Teams
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Day 1 – Prevention, Risk, and De-escalation
- Understanding Violence and Aggression
- Identify different types and causes of aggression and violence.
- Understand how trauma, mental health, cognitive impairment, or unmet needs may contribute to behaviour.
- Explore the impact of environment, communication, and relationships on behaviour.
- Legal and Professional Framework
- Apply relevant legislation and guidance:
- Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
- Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007)
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Common law & self-defence
- Understand the principles of proportionality, necessity, and least restriction.
- Apply relevant legislation and guidance:
- De-escalation and Communication Techniques
- Use verbal and non-verbal communication to reduce tension and defuse aggression.
- Demonstrate active listening, calm positioning, and empathy in high-risk situations.
- Tailor communication to individuals with additional needs (e.g., autism, non-verbal, sensory issues).
- Risk Assessment & Dynamic Decision-Making
- Conduct dynamic risk assessments in fast-changing situations.
- Identify environmental, situational, and individual risk factors.
- Use “traffic light” or similar models for assessing levels of risk.
Day 2 – Physical Skills (Disengagement and Holding Techniques)
- Breakaway (Disengagement) Skills
- Use safe and effective breakaway techniques for:
- Wrist grabs
- Clothing grabs
- Hair pulls
- Bites and scratches
- Being held or blocked
- Apply techniques in a way that protects both staff and service users.
- Use safe and effective breakaway techniques for:
- Holding and Physical Intervention Techniques
- Learn safe, low-level holding techniques as a last resort when de-escalation has failed.
- Use approved team-based methods to control and contain aggression when absolutely necessary.
- Ensure that any physical intervention is proportionate, respectful, and minimises risk of harm.
- Positional Safety and Risk Awareness
- Understand the risks of positional asphyxia and how to prevent them.
- Identify physical health risks (e.g., breathing issues, frailty, medication effects).
- Learn safe positioning, monitoring, and when to disengage or call for emergency support.
- Post-Incident Practice and Reporting
- Accurately record and report incidents in line with organisational and legal expectations.
- Reflect on incidents to promote learning and reduce future risk.
- Support recovery for staff and individuals through debriefing and follow-up.
Assessment & Certification
- Practical Assessment: Disengagement and physical intervention techniques
- Written Knowledge Check
- Certificate of Competence : (valid for 12–24 months depending on organisational policy)
2 Full Days
On-site
Flexible
Handouts, certificate
Enquiry Form
Ready to Book?
Protect your staff with the 2-Day PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) and give them the confidence to safely handle conflict in high-risk situations.
Delivered on-site or online by experienced trainers, this practical programme ensures compliance, reduces risk, and builds a safer workplace.
Take the next step today — enquire now to secure your training date.