One-day course for staff supporting older adults and people with dementia
A practical one‑day course for staff who may have brief or occasional contact with older adults during moments of distress — whether in communal areas, reception spaces, day rooms, home visits or phone conversations with families and carers.
This course introduces the essential skills for responding to distress in a calm, person‑centred and supportive way. Staff explore the difference between confusion, fear, anger, distress and behaviours of concern, and reflect on their own natural conflict‑management styles. The training looks at the signs, causes and patterns of escalating behaviour in dementia and older‑adult care, helping staff recognise early cues and respond with clarity, confidence and compassion.
Participants learn the behaviour‑escalation model and gain a clear understanding of the legislation around reasonable force and restrictive practices in care settings — including how this applies to older adults, dementia care and CQC‑regulated environments. The day also includes gentle, hands‑on teaching of ethical, biomechanically tested physical‑release techniques to help staff feel safer and more prepared if a situation becomes physically unsafe.
Assessment includes a short multiple‑choice test and practical demonstrations of release techniques. An annual half‑day refresher keeps skills current, safe and aligned with best practice.
Best suited for:
- Reception and front‑of‑house staff
- Community and outreach workers
- Office and administrative staff
- Day‑service and activity‑support staff
- Staff managing occasional or low‑level distress in older‑adult or dementia settings