PMVA Training for Health, Social Care and Support Professionals

Course Duration: 1 Day (6–7 Hours) or 2 Days (Enhanced Practical Programme)

Delivery: Classroom | On-site Workplace Training

Certificate Validity: 1 Year (Annual Refresher Recommended)

Course Fee:

• Individual Booking: From £125 per learner
• Group Booking (up to 12 learners): From £995
• Bespoke organisational training packages available.

PMVA Training at Vertex Learning Hub

Working in health and social care can sometimes involve supporting individuals who display behaviours that challenge or become aggressive. Having the right knowledge and skills enables staff to respond safely, confidently and professionally while protecting the dignity and wellbeing of everyone involved.

Vertex Learning Hub’s Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) Training equips learners with evidence-based strategies to recognise, prevent, de-escalate and safely manage challenging behaviours. The course promotes person-centred care, positive communication and the least restrictive approaches to intervention.

Our experienced trainers combine theory with realistic practical exercises to help learners develop the confidence to respond appropriately in challenging situations.

Course Overview

This course provides healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required to prevent, manage and respond to violence and aggression within health and social care environments.

Learners will explore the causes of challenging behaviour, understand legal and ethical responsibilities, develop effective communication skills and practise safe disengagement and breakaway techniques where appropriate.

The course emphasises prevention, de-escalation and positive behavioural support before considering any physical interventions.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course learners will be able to:

• Understand the causes of violence and aggression.
• Identify early warning signs of escalating behaviour.
• Recognise personal and environmental triggers.
• Apply effective verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques.
• Use conflict resolution strategies confidently.
• Conduct dynamic risk assessments.
• Understand legal and ethical responsibilities.
• Protect themselves and others using approved breakaway techniques (where included).
• Record and report incidents accurately.
• Promote positive behaviour support and person-centred care.
• Reduce the risk of injury to staff and service users.

Course Curriculum

Module 1 – Introduction to PMVA

Topics include:

• What is PMVA?
• Understanding challenging behaviour
• Violence versus aggression
• Behaviour as communication
• Impact on staff and service users

Module 2 – Causes of Challenging Behaviour

Learners will explore:

• Mental health conditions
• Dementia
• Learning disabilities
• Autism spectrum conditions
• Substance misuse
• Trauma
• Pain and illness
• Environmental triggers
• Communication difficulties

Module 3 – Legal and Professional Responsibilities

Including:

• Duty of Care
• Health and Safety at Work Act
• Human Rights principles
• Equality and Diversity
• Mental Capacity principles
• Safeguarding responsibilities
• Duty to use the least restrictive intervention

Module 4 – Risk Assessment

Learners will understand:

• Dynamic risk assessment
• Identifying risk factors
• Personal safety
• Environmental safety
• Lone working considerations
• Incident prevention

Module 5 – Communication Skills

Topics include:

• Active listening
• Empathy
• Building rapport
• Professional boundaries
• Non-verbal communication
• Maintaining calm under pressure

Module 6 – De-escalation Techniques

Practical strategies including:

• Recognising escalation stages
• Verbal de-escalation
• Defusing conflict
• Negotiation skills
• Maintaining personal space
• Reducing confrontation
• Managing emotional responses

Module 7 – Positive Behaviour Support

Learners will cover:

• Person-centred approaches
• Behaviour support planning
• Understanding unmet needs
• Promoting independence
• Reducing restrictive practices

Module 8 – Breakaway and Personal Safety Techniques (Enhanced Practical Programme)

Practical instruction may include:

• Personal safety awareness
• Safe disengagement from grabs
• Wrist release techniques
• Clothing grab releases
• Hair pull releases
• Safe escape methods
• Moving to safety

Practical techniques are taught using safe training methods and should always be used in accordance with employer policies.

Module 9 – Post-Incident Procedures

Including:

• Duty of care following an incident
• Debriefing
• Incident reporting
• Documentation
• Reflective practice
• Supporting staff wellbeing

Module 10 – Practical Scenarios

Learners will participate in realistic scenarios involving:

• Managing verbal aggression
• De-escalation conversations
• Dynamic risk assessment
• Safe withdrawal
• Team communication
• Breakaway practice (where applicable)

Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for:

• Healthcare Assistants
• Support Workers
• Registered Nurses
• Mental Health Professionals
• Care Home Staff
• Learning Disability Support Workers
• Autism Support Workers
• Secure Unit Staff
• Residential Care Workers
• Supported Living Teams
• Domiciliary Care Staff
• Social Workers
• Community Mental Health Teams
• Hospital Staff
• Crisis Intervention Teams

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements.

Participants should be physically able to take part in practical activities. If you have a medical condition, injury or mobility concern, please inform us before the course so reasonable adjustments can be discussed where appropriate.

Assessment

Learners are assessed through:

• Practical demonstrations
• Participation in scenarios
• Observation by the trainer
• Group discussions
• Knowledge checks

No formal written examination is required.

Certification

Successful learners will receive a Vertex Learning Hub PMVA Certificate.

Annual refresher training is recommended to maintain competence and meet employer expectations.

Why Choose Vertex Learning Hub?

Our PMVA training is delivered by experienced healthcare professionals with extensive frontline experience in mental health, social care and behavioural support.

When you choose Vertex Learning Hub, you benefit from:

• Experienced specialist trainers
• Interactive, scenario-based learning
• Safe and supportive practical sessions
• Small class sizes
• Person-centred training philosophy
• Flexible on-site delivery
• Tailored courses for organisations
• Competitive group booking rates

Benefits of PMVA Training

Effective PMVA training helps organisations to:

• Improve staff confidence
• Reduce workplace injuries
• Enhance service user safety
• Promote positive behaviour support
• Improve communication
• Reduce incidents of conflict
• Strengthen safeguarding practices
• Create safer working environments

Delivery Options

Classroom Training

Attend one of our scheduled PMVA courses at Vertex Learning Hub.

Workplace Training

Our trainers can deliver PMVA training at your organisation, reducing travel costs and ensuring training reflects your working environment.

Bespoke Organisational Training

We offer customised programmes for:

• NHS Trusts
• Care Homes
• Supported Living Services
• Mental Health Services
• Residential Children’s Services
• Learning Disability Providers
• Community Care Organisations
• Charities and Voluntary Organisations