PMVA Behaviour Support & Restrictive Interventions Training

RRN Accredited Training Using the Able Target System (ATS) Model

Gain the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to understand, prevent and safely respond to behaviours that may challenge with this PMVA Behaviour Support & Restrictive Interventions Training course. Designed for health, social care, education and support services across the UK, this intensive three-day programme equips learners with the knowledge, practical skills and professional understanding required to safely support individuals whose behaviour may present increased levels of risk.

Ideal for organisations supporting autistic individuals, people with learning disabilities, individuals living with dementia, people experiencing mental health difficulties, and those with complex support needs, this course focuses on understanding behaviour, preventing escalation and implementing the least restrictive approaches possible whilst maintaining safety.

Delivered using the Able Target System (ATS) model and accredited by the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN), this programme builds upon Positive Behaviour Support principles, communication, prevention, de-escalation and personal safety before progressing into restrictive intervention strategies that may be required when there is an immediate risk of harm.

Throughout the programme there is a strong emphasis on reducing restrictive practices wherever possible, protecting human rights, maintaining dignity and ensuring any intervention remains lawful, reasonable, proportionate and necessary.

What this course offers

Delivered over three days, this highly practical programme provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of behaviour support, risk management and restrictive intervention strategies.

The course begins by exploring why behaviours occur, how individuals communicate through behaviour and how proactive planning, person-centred support, communication strategies and environmental adjustments can help prevent situations from escalating.

Building upon these foundations, learners develop practical personal safety skills, breakaway strategies, physical intervention responses and restrictive intervention techniques used when all other reasonable options have been exhausted.

Participants will explore not only the practical application of interventions, but also the legal, ethical and professional considerations that accompany their use.

Extensive practical rehearsal gives learners the opportunity to develop confidence in communication, teamwork, monitoring, safer decision-making and intervention skills relevant to their working environment.

The programme combines practical skills, discussion, reflection and realistic scenario-based learning to ensure learners leave with both confidence and competence.

Why this training matters

Supporting individuals whose behaviours may challenge can be rewarding but also complex. Whilst prevention, relationship-building and de-escalation remain the preferred approaches, some environments require staff to respond safely when behaviours create a significant risk of harm.

When restrictive interventions become necessary, it is essential that staff understand not only how to perform interventions safely, but also when intervention is appropriate, how risks can be reduced, and how restrictive practices can be minimised.

This course helps organisations create safer environments by ensuring staff can identify risks early, intervene proportionately and maintain dignity throughout the process.

By combining Positive Behaviour Support principles, personal safety skills and restrictive intervention strategies within an RRN-accredited framework, organisations can improve outcomes, strengthen staff confidence and support the wellbeing of everyone involved.

Understanding Behaviour & Prevention

A key focus of this programme remains understanding behaviour and reducing the likelihood of incidents occurring.

Learners will explore:

• Understanding behaviours that may challenge

• Workplace violence and aggression awareness

• The Six C's framework

• Trust, communication, culture and language

• Person-centred support approaches

• Positive Behaviour Support principles

• Understanding behaviour through communication, needs and context

• The Six Stage Target Model

• Understanding motivation, trauma and life experiences

• Human motivation and behavioural drivers

• Neurodevelopmental differences and support needs

• Proactive planning and support strategies

• Building adaptive skills and positive outcomes

• Reducing stressors and improving support environments

The programme reinforces the principle that the best intervention is often the one that never becomes necessary.

Restrictive Interventions & Safer Holding Skills

Building upon breakaway and physical intervention principles, this course introduces a range of restrictive intervention strategies that may be appropriate where there is an immediate and foreseeable risk of harm.

Learners may explore:

• Guide Techniques

• Safe Holds & Support Techniques

• Restrictive Intervention Techniques

• Relocation & Escorting

• Stabilisation Techniques

• Clinical & Specialist Applications

All practical elements are delivered in accordance with Training Needs Analysis findings, organisational requirements and the principles of least restrictive practice.

Safe Intervention Practice

Restrictive interventions carry both physical and psychological risks and should only ever be used when justified, necessary and proportionate.

Learners will explore:

• Human rights and least restrictive practice

• Restrictive versus non-restrictive interventions

• Reasonable and proportionate force

• Legal frameworks and responsibilities

• Dynamic risk assessment

• Communication during interventions

• Monitoring and observation requirements

• Positional risks and safety considerations

• Recognising medical concerns

• Release criteria and stopping points

• Post-incident review and learning

• Reducing the duration and intensity of interventions

The focus remains on maintaining safety while protecting dignity and wellbeing.

Training Needs Analysis (TNA)

Every organisation supports different people and faces different risks.

Prior to delivery, organisations may complete a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) which helps identify:

• The needs of the individuals being supported

• Behavioural risks within the service

• Environmental considerations

• Existing organisational policies

• Previous incident trends

• Staffing arrangements

• Appropriate intervention levels

This allows training to remain relevant, proportionate and focused on the practical situations staff are most likely to encounter.

Course Benefits

• Develop an advanced understanding of behaviours that may challenge

• Strengthen Positive Behaviour Support approaches

• Improve confidence in managing complex incidents

• Build advanced de-escalation skills

• Develop practical breakaway and physical intervention competency

• Learn restrictive intervention strategies safely and ethically

• Understand legal and professional responsibilities

• Promote restraint reduction and least restrictive practice

• Reduce risk to staff and individuals being supported

• Improve organisational safety and governance

• Strengthen confidence when managing higher-risk situations

Certification and Progression

On successful completion, learners will receive a PMVA Behaviour Support & Restrictive Interventions Certificate.

This programme is accredited by the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) and delivered using the Able Target System (ATS) model.

Annual refresher training is required to maintain competency, confidence and safe practice.

This course provides progression opportunities into:

• PMVA Behaviour Support & Advanced Restrictive Interventions Training

• PMVA Instructor Development Pathways

• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

• Autism Specialist Practice

• Learning Disability Specialist Support

• Advanced Restrictive Practice Reduction Programmes

Other organisations may call this...

Depending on the provider or sector, similar training may be referred to as:

• PMVA Training

• Restrictive Interventions Training

• Physical Intervention Training

• Behaviour Support Training

• Managing Behaviours That May Challenge

• Positive Behaviour Support Training

• Safe Holding Training

• Restraint Reduction Training

• Violence & Aggression Training

• RRN Accredited PMVA Training

• Learning Disability Behaviour Support Training

• Autism Behaviour Support Training

• SEND Behaviour Support Training

• Personal Safety & Restrictive Interventions Training

• Behaviour Management & Restraint Training

Whilst terminology may vary, the aim remains the same: understanding behaviour, reducing risk, promoting positive outcomes and applying the least restrictive intervention necessary to maintain safety.