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Using the Able Target System (ATS) Model
Gain the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to understand, prevent and safely respond to behaviours that challenge with this PMVA Behaviour Support & Physical Interventions training course. Designed for health, social care, education and support services across the UK, this intensive two-day programme equips learners with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to reduce risk, support positive outcomes and maintain safety when working with individuals whose behaviour may present significant challenges.
Ideal for organisations supporting autistic individuals, people with learning disabilities, individuals living with dementia, people experiencing mental health difficulties, and those with complex behavioural needs, this course focuses on understanding behaviour, preventing escalation and using safe, proportionate interventions when required.
Delivered using the Able Target System (ATS) model, the programme combines behaviour support principles, de-escalation strategies, personal safety skills and physical intervention techniques within a framework that prioritises dignity, respect, restraint reduction and positive behavioural outcomes.
The course recognises that every service faces different challenges. As part of the training process, organisations are encouraged to undertake a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) to identify the specific risks, behaviours and intervention requirements relevant to their setting. This allows practical elements of the programme to be tailored to the environments, individuals and scenarios learners are most likely to encounter.
What this course offers
Delivered over two days, this highly practical programme builds upon the foundations of behaviour support, prevention and de-escalation while introducing a broader range of personal safety, disengagement and physical intervention strategies.
Learners will explore why behaviours occur, how escalation develops, and how effective communication, proactive planning and positive behaviour support approaches can significantly reduce the likelihood of incidents occurring.
The course includes extensive practical sessions designed to help learners safely respond to situations where behaviour presents an immediate risk to themselves, others or the individual involved.
Depending on organisational requirements identified through the Training Needs Analysis, practical skills may include safe disengagements from common grabs and holds, managing clothing grabs, hair pulls, choke responses, bite defence strategies, escorting techniques and supporting individuals to move safely from one environment to another where appropriate and lawful to do so.
Throughout the programme there is a strong emphasis on reducing restrictive practices wherever possible and ensuring any intervention remains proportionate, reasonable and in the individual's best interests.
Significant time is dedicated to practising techniques, developing confidence, and applying skills within realistic scenarios relevant to learners' working environments.
Why this training matters
Staff supporting individuals with complex behaviours often face situations that require rapid decision making, effective communication and, occasionally, physical intervention to maintain safety.
While prevention and de-escalation remain the preferred approaches, there are occasions where staff may need additional skills to prevent harm, support an individual safely, or protect themselves and others from injury.
This course provides learners with the knowledge to understand behaviour as communication, the confidence to prevent situations from escalating wherever possible, and the practical skills required when more direct intervention is necessary.
By combining preventative approaches with legally and ethically informed physical intervention strategies, organisations can improve safety, reduce incidents, support staff wellbeing and promote positive outcomes for the people they support.
Physical Intervention & Personal Safety Skills
Building upon the breakaway programme, this course explores a broader range of intervention strategies which may be delivered according to organisational requirements and Training Needs Analysis findings.
Learners may explore:
Escalation levels and intervention decision making
Dynamic risk assessment
Personal safety responses
Situational awareness
Maintaining distance and identifying exits
Keeping-safe stances
Reasonable and proportionate force
Restrictive and non-restrictive interventions
Legal and ethical considerations
Organisational policies and responsibilities
Safe breakaway and disengagement techniques
Clothing grab releases
Hair pull releases
Choke release strategies
Bite defence techniques
Managing aggressive approaches safely
Turning and redirecting individuals safely
Supporting movement from one area to another
Escorting techniques where appropriate
Team communication during incidents
Post-incident review and learning
The specific techniques delivered may vary depending on organisational risk, service user needs and the findings of the Training Needs Analysis.
Training Needs Analysis (TNA)
Every organisation is different, and effective PMVA training should reflect those differences.
Prior to delivery, organisations may complete a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) which helps identify:
The people being supported
Common behaviours encountered
Known risks and incident patterns
Environmental considerations
Staffing arrangements
Existing policies and procedures
Required intervention levels
This process ensures that training remains relevant, proportionate and focused on the practical challenges faced by staff within their specific setting.
Course Benefits
Develop a deeper understanding of behaviours that challenge
Strengthen proactive behaviour support and prevention strategies
Improve confidence in managing complex incidents
Build advanced de-escalation and conflict reduction skills
Learn practical breakaway and disengagement techniques
Develop competency in a range of physical intervention responses
Understand legal, ethical and professional responsibilities
Reduce the risk of injury to staff and service users
Promote restraint reduction and positive behavioural outcomes
Support organisational compliance and risk management
Improve workplace confidence and safety culture
Other organisations may call this...
Depending on the provider or sector, similar training may be referred to as:
PMVA Training, Advanced PMVA Training, PMVA Physical Interventions Training, Physical Intervention Training, Behaviour Support & Physical Intervention Training, Challenging Behaviour Training, Behaviour Management Training, Positive Behaviour Support Training, De-escalation Training, Breakaway & Disengagement Training, Personal Safety Training, Restrictive Practice Training, Conflict Management Training, Managing Aggressive Behaviour Training, RRN Accredited PMVA Training, ATS Physical Intervention Training,
Whilst the terminology may vary, the focus remains the same: understanding behaviour, reducing risk, promoting positive outcomes and maintaining safety through the least restrictive approach possible.
