Overview
Build confidence and practical skills to respond thoughtfully when behaviour becomes challenging, recognising that de-escalation begins with relationships and communication rather than crisis response.
Develop the confidence, understanding and practical skills to respond more thoughtfully when behaviour becomes challenging.
De-escalation is not only about what happens in a moment of crisis. It begins with relationships, communication and an understanding of what behaviour may be expressing. Rooted in nearly 80 years of Mulberry Bush therapeutic practice, this course supports professionals to look beyond presenting behaviour and consider the emotional, relational, sensory and communication needs that may be influencing it. Participants will explore how adults’ responses can either reduce or increase tension and how calm, consistent and reflective practice can support safer outcomes.
The course combines practical de-escalation strategies with opportunities to reflect on professional responses, communication styles and team practice. It is designed to build confidence while recognising that there is rarely one fixed response to a complex situation. The training is delivered in person as a two-and-a-half-hour session for teams and organisations.
The course is designed for professionals who work alongside children and young people and may encounter behaviour that feels challenging, distressed or difficult to manage.
It may be particularly relevant to teachers and teaching assistants, pastoral, inclusion and safeguarding teams, residential childcare practitioners, social workers and family support professionals, health and mental health practitioners, youth and community workers, youth and criminal justice professionals, foster carers, and team leaders and service managers.
No previous de-escalation training is required. The training is particularly effective when completed by a whole staff team, as this creates greater consistency across a setting.
For most of our courses, no previous therapeutic training is required. Our sessions provide an accessible introduction while also creating opportunities for experienced practitioners to revisit and reflect on their existing practice.
The Foundation Degree is different, as it is work-based. You must be working with children or young people for at least 16 hours each week, through paid employment or a voluntary role, with opportunities to apply and reflect on your learning in practice. You do not need specific previous qualifications, but you may be asked to complete a short written task as part of the application process.
What you will learn
The course explores the principles and practical application of effective de-escalation. You will learn about:
- What may sit beneath behaviour that feels challenging
- How behaviour can communicate thoughts, feelings and unmet needs
- The importance of relationships in preventing and responding to escalation
- How adults’ communication and emotional responses can influence a situation
- Early signs that a child or young person may be becoming overwhelmed
- How language, tone, pace and body language can reduce or increase tension
- The influence of sensory and communication needs
- Practical strategies for creating calm and reducing conflict
- Ways to support children through emotionally heightened situations
- How self-awareness can strengthen professional responses
- The importance of consistency across staff teams
- How reflection can help teams learn from difficult experiences
Participants will be encouraged to connect the learning with situations from their own setting and consider how de-escalation can become part of a wider relational approach.
Yes. Most of our courses can be commissioned by organisations and delivered in person or online, adapted to the context, needs and experiences of your setting. Several courses can be delivered to teams of up to 30 staff.
Training a team together can be particularly valuable, as consistent practice often depends on clear communication, shared understanding and a shared language between the adults involved.
Benefits and Outcomes
The course can help staff feel more confident, consistent and reflective when responding to behaviour that challenges them.
By taking part, you can:
- Develop greater confidence when supporting children through difficult situations
- Recognise signs of escalation at an earlier stage
- Respond with greater calm, clarity and consistency
- Look beyond behaviour and consider what may be communicated beneath it
- Use language and communication more effectively
- Adapt your response to children’s sensory and communication needs
- Reduce reliance on punitive or reactive responses
- Strengthen positive relationships between children and staff
- Reflect on how your own feelings and responses may influence a situation
- Share approaches, experience and good practice across your team
- Develop a more consistent framework for responding to challenging situations
- Contribute to calmer and more respectful learning or care environments
The training can also support organisations to develop a shared language around behaviour, relationships and emotional regulation.
Mulberry Bush has been developing therapeutic approaches to working with children, young people and the adults around them for nearly 80 years.
Our training is rooted in practice. It draws on the day-to-day experience of our therapeutic schools, alongside established theory, current research and learning from professionals across children’s services. Our trainers have direct experience of working within the field and understand both the value and the emotional demands of this work.
We do not offer simple responses to complex situations. Instead, we support practitioners to develop the understanding, confidence and reflective capacity needed to make thoughtful decisions within their own roles and organisations. Our approach is:
- Collaborative – we seek to work with, and learn from, others who share our vision and principles.
- Psychodynamic – we promote an approach which enables us to understand the meaning of behaviour as communication.
- Reflective – we believe in the value of learning through reflection and experience.
And, we live by our values:
- Expertise – we are pioneers, thought-leaders, influencers and change-makers.
- Empathy – we care, support and work with professional, practitioners and the people we serve to enable them to make their own change and collaborate with and are here for everyone who needs us.
- Everyone – we are a community we collaborate and are here for everyone who needs us.