5 Strategies for Meaningful De-Escalation

De-escalation. A term we are all familiar with. As professionals in education, health and social care, we may find ourselves in situations where we need to use de-escalation strategies to support individuals, reduce risk and mitigate the likelihood of harm.

But what does this look like in practice? Are there opportunities to improve what we already do, to further build our confidence? And how can we make meaningful de-escalation part of our wider positive behaviour culture?

1: Focus on proactive, rather than reactive, strategies

When it comes to avoiding conflict, or supporting individuals who may be in crisis, we sometimes have to react very quickly. We may need to use a physical intervention, if there is a risk of serious harm. In such cases, a dynamic, reactive approach may be appropriate and necessary, in order to reduce risk and keep people safe.

However, for meaningful de-escalation to become part of a wider positive behaviour culture, we need to shift our focus onto proactive strategies that interrupt the Conflict Spiral, and enable us to intervene early and reduce the likelihood of an individual reaching crisis.

Spotting the early signs of dysregulation means we can take prompt and decisive action, so we need to be alert to individuals’ baseline behaviour. That way, we can quickly identify triggers and the early stages of distress, and apply proactive de-escalation strategies that work for that person.

These might include:

• Remove sources of frustration, if practical and possible
• Offer reassurance, including positive physical prompts, such as guiding away
• Talk to the individual using a well-rehearsed help script: “Asha, I can see that something has happened. Talk and I’ll listen…”
• Explain clearly what is happening and what will happen next
• Use CALM body language
• Talk slowly and quietly, using a low tone of voice
• Divert and distract by introducing another activity or topic
• Use strategies that have worked well for this individual in the past

However, it could be that a person is already showing higher levels of stress, anxiety or frustration. They might be shouting, crying, or using abusive language; changing their facial expression; moving in an agitated way; picking up objects that could be used weapons; challenging instructions; and breaking minor rules.