Does De-escalation Training work?

There are certain professions where employees require de-escalation training to safeguard themselves and those around them. Those working in the NHS, social care, and other healthcare settings are subject to these pressures, meaning that they need to know how to resolve difficult situations without conflict. But is training in de-escalation enough on its own?

When staff are shown the best way to manage challenging behaviour, it gives them the confidence that they have the skills to do so, often resulting in reduced adverse outcomes, fewer violent patients and fewer injuries. However, de-escalation training in isolation on its own might not be enough.

Is isolated training ineffective?

Studies have shown mixed results in relation to reducing the number of violent incidents occurring through de-escalation techniques alone. Not much in the way of research has gone into evaluating its long-term effects, so it’s hard to get a clear picture. However, what we know isn’t particularly compelling. 

That’s not to say that de-escalation instruction doesn’t help, as it has been proven to reduce overall expenditure, lost workdays and complaints, as well as helping to improve staff retention. However, it would seem that it works much better when combined with other training in a more comprehensive conflict management training approach.

A comprehensive approach is better.

The issue with focusing on de-escalation training in isolation is that it only concentrates on the part of the problem. A complete approach will also include other aspects like the threat identification and handling of aggressive individuals. You’re aiming for a comprehensive toolkit that staff can use to limit the impact of violence and aggression every day. 

The evidence indicates that isolated skill-based training should be provided as part of a larger, more wide-ranging strategy. Also covered should be aspects like managing challenging behaviour and conflict resolution training. This is something that we offer at IKON Training, and here’s what some of our past students think of our approach.

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust delegate: 

“In our line of work, we encounter many aggressive patients in ED, and although physical violence is rare, the important training provided by IKON has given me confidence to deal with any type of challenging situation.”

North Middlesex University Hospital delegate: 

“Interesting, interactive practical sessions were provided by IKON. The techniques we’ve been taught have already proved very useful in our working environment.”

Comprehensive knowledge from IKON Training

De-escalation training plays a vital part in keeping NHS, social care and healthcare staff safe against threatening and violent behaviour, but the knowledge learnt doesn’t go quite far enough on its own. That’s why we offer comprehensive instruction on all areas covering everything you need to know about de-escalation, conflict resolution and managing challenging behaviour.

If you’d like to know more about what makes our training so effective, convenient and popular, simply take a look around our website www.ikontraining.co.uk. Alternatively, if you’d like to speak to us directly about your needs, just call us on 01473 927 333, and we’ll do our best to help.