CALM Training - History

History of the CALM System

The CALM approach to crisis management lies in a long term collaboration between a number of professionals, commencing in the late 1980's which included consultant physicians and psychiatrists; police and prison service trainers, social work trainers, mental health nurses, trainers and academics, concerned about the neglect of aggression management issues, within national policy and research agendas and committed to the development of evidence based responses.

The activities of this group included:-

•The establishment of MIGVAMT (Multi Disciplinary Group for Violence
and Aggression Management and Training), a violence management
support group

•The first National Conference on Occupational Violence

•The first conference on the use of physical restraint in social care

• Establishment of "The Centre for Crisis Management" - a registered
charity aimed at promoting evidence based solution to occupational
violence.

• Involvement in national research and policy development initiatives

• Publication and research

• Support in developing the CALM physical intervention system

The CALM System was developed with the aim of producing an effective, criteria and evidence based system of training in aggression management, to help protect both staff and service users from abuse and injury.

The system is divided into two modules;-

CALM Theory module;- The Management of Critical incidents/Challenging behaviour. Based on a "systems" approach.

CALM Physical Restraint Model:- A hierarchical model based on "Core" and "Supplementary" curricula. All techniques are non aversive and have been independently bio mechanically evaluated, with most restraints taking place in a standing or seated position. Programmes can be customised on the basis of Risk Assessment and Care Planning.

The programme was developed with the help of members of the Centre for Crisis Management all of whom had extensive practical experience of working with challenging service users, knowledge of the theoretical and practice literature, and a wide range of experience in physical intervention training.

CALM Training Services Ltd. was established as the co-ordinating agency for CALM training programmes in 1997. The CALM system is now widely used by Health, Social Care and Education services across the UK and, more recently the USA.