Course Overview

Training staff in self-defence techniques has often been seen as the key to personal safety. However, it can be argued that as a strategy, such free-standing programmes increase, rather than decrease risk, for a range of reasons: 

  • The focus on interpersonal skills reinforces “blame cultures” and can increase the expectations imposed on trained staff  

  • They distract from the importance of agency practices, policies and cultures   

  • Research suggests that some staff simply freeze and are unable to respond in a crisis 

  • Insufficient practice time necessary to develop and maintain competence   

  • Programmes include too many overly complex techniques  

  • Lack of staff fitness or physical coordination 

However, when delivered in the context of an organisation’s training strategy to staff identified through the process of Risk Assessment, training in techniques which allow the person to escape from an attack may increase safety. 

It is therefore important that escape techniques are delivered in the context of a comprehensive organisational strategy addressing other factors which relate to behaviours that challenge. 

The CALM Escape Techniques Course is designed to avoid the documented shortcomings of much training in this area. 

The escape techniques are based on specific principles: 

  • All techniques are based on a single physical principle  
  • They are relatively simple 
  • Techniques are selected on the basis of a) effectiveness; b) flexibility 
  • They do not rely on size or strength 
  • They offer a range of curricula for high, medium, and low risk    

This course prepares practitioners to deliver a range of escape (breakaway) techniques as part of their work role either by incorporating them in CALM Physical Intervention courses or as a standalone course within the context of personal safety and lone working. 

Please note, CALM only teaches physical skills in specific contexts and situations subject to training needs analysis. Risk assessments and behavioural audits must be engaged in to ascertain not only whether there is a legitimate need for physical skills training but also importantly WHICH techniques should be taught. To assist with skill acquisition, retention and ultimately safety, techniques must be limited and must be chosen to meet current operational risks only. Only staff exposed to risks directly, and/or those with the responsibility to intervene, should receive training in physical skills, as should their managers. ALL staff MUST have undertaken the CALM Core Theory course PRIOR to undertaking CALM Physical skills training. 

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Who is This Course For?

Education Services

Mainstream schools, ASN (Additional Support Needs) schools, SEN (Special Educational Needs) schools, SEBN (Social, Emotional, Behavioural Needs) 

The CALM Escape Techniques Course is a whole sector approach that can benefit anyone working in Education Services. 

Roles: Pupil Support Assistants, Catering and Estates staff, Teachers, Principal Teachers, Head Teachers, Class-room Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Special Needs Assistants, Early Childhood Educators, Educational Psychologists, anyone in a Learning and Development role, anyone in a supervisory or senior management role.  

Social Care

Residential Childcare, Supported Living, Housing Support Services, Respite Care, Day Supports 

The CALM Escape Techniques Course is a whole sector approach that can benefit anyone working across the Social Care Sector. 

Roles: Anyone in an L & D role Support Assistants, Support Workers, Senior Support Workers, Team Leaders, Project Managers, Operational Managers, Social Workers, addiction workers, workers with homeless, anyone in a supervisory or senior management role.  

Health Services

In patient dementia and older adult services, adolescent and young people in patient settings, Addiction services, Homeless services, forensic services 

The CALM Escape Techniques Course is a whole sector approach that can benefit anyone working in Health Services. 

Roles: Health Care Assistants, Registered Nurses, Doctors, addiction workers, project workers, Reception/Admin staff, Community Health staff, Multi-disciplinary roles such as Speech and Language therapists, OT’s, anyone in an L & D role, anyone in a supervisory or senior management role. 

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