The Breakaway Techniques Training Course is designed for healthcare professionals, support workers, and anyone who may encounter challenging behaviours or physical aggression in the workplace. This course equips participants with the skills and confidence to safely and effectively disengage from potentially harmful situations. Focusing on non-aggressive, legally compliant techniques, the course emphasises the importance of maintaining personal safety while minimising harm to others. Participants will learn how to assess risk, de-escalate confrontations, and apply physical breakaway techniques when necessary. The training combines theoretical knowledge with practical exercises to ensure proficiency in managing and mitigating risks.
 
Course Content:
 
Introduction to Breakaway Techniques: Understanding the purpose and importance of breakaway techniques in maintaining personal safety in challenging situations.
Legal and Ethical Considerations: Overview of the legal and ethical framework surrounding the use of physical intervention, including the principles of reasonable force and duty of care.
Understanding Aggression: Exploration of the causes and triggers of aggression and challenging behaviour, and how to recognise the signs of escalating tension.
Risk Assessment and Safety: Techniques for assessing risk in potentially aggressive situations and strategies for ensuring personal and team safety.
De-escalation Techniques: Non-physical strategies for de-escalating confrontations, including verbal communication skills, body language, and conflict resolution techniques.
Physical Breakaway Techniques:
Personal Space and Positioning: Understanding the importance of maintaining personal space and adopting safe positioning to minimise risk.
Breakaway from Grabs: Practical instruction on safely breaking away from various types of grabs, including wrist, arm, and clothing grabs.
Breakaway from Holds: Techniques for safely disengaging from holds or restraints, ensuring minimal harm to both the individual and the person exhibiting aggression.
Post-Incident Procedures: Best practices for post-incident procedures, including reporting, documentation, and reflection on the event to improve future responses.
Psychological Impact and Support: Understanding the psychological impact of aggressive incidents on staff and the importance of accessing support and supervision following such events.
Scenario-Based Practice: Application of breakaway techniques in realistic scenarios, allowing participants to practice and refine their skills in a controlled environment with feedback from experienced trainers.
 
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the Breakaway Techniques Training Course, participants will be able to:
 
Understand the Role of Breakaway Techniques: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of breakaway techniques in ensuring personal safety and maintaining a safe working environment.
Apply Legal and Ethical Knowledge: Apply knowledge of legal and ethical principles related to physical intervention, ensuring that any actions taken are compliant with the law and respect the dignity of all individuals.
Recognise and Manage Aggression: Identify the causes and signs of aggression and challenging behaviour, and apply de-escalation techniques to manage and reduce tension.
Perform Risk Assessments: Conduct risk assessments in potentially aggressive situations, using this information to make informed decisions about the appropriate course of action.
Execute Physical Breakaway Techniques: Safely and effectively perform a range of physical breakaway techniques, including disengagement from grabs and holds, while minimising harm to all parties involved.
Implement Post-Incident Procedures: Follow best practices for post-incident reporting, documentation, and reflection, contributing to continuous improvement in handling challenging situations.
Support Psychological Wellbeing: Recognise the psychological impact of aggressive incidents on staff and know how to access support and supervision to manage these effects.
Apply Skills in Realistic Scenarios: Confidently apply breakaway techniques in realistic scenarios, demonstrating the ability to manage challenging situations in a calm and controlled manner.
 
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be equipped with the necessary skills to protect themselves and others in potentially aggressive situations, ensuring safety and compliance with legal and ethical standards. They will receive certification, confirming their competence in the application of breakaway techniques within their professional roles.