2. What techniques do you know for diverting and de-escalating challenging situations?
People who work with young people need a 'tool box' for when a challenging situation has been triggered. Using well tried methods can divert a young person and help them to calm down.
Are these things in your tool box?
Pass our mouse over the items to find out more about each method and the skills that it requires.
- Good role model
- Experiential learning
- Support
- Routines and rules
- Limits
The Residential Worker can...
Be a good role model
Advantages
Providing a focus for young person
Limitations
Can undermine others
Skills needed
Using the relationship 'You and I get along well'
Experiential learning is knowledge, skills, and/or abilities attained through observation, simulation, and/or participation that provides depth and meaning to learning by engaging the mind and/or body through activity, reflection, and application.
The Residential Worker can...
Aid experiential learning
Advantages
Problem solving
Limitations
Takes time and motivation
Skills needed
Discuss pro and con of actions
The Residential Worker can...
Support the young person
Advantages
Avoids power conflicts
Limitations
Young person may need clearer structure
Skills needed
Ability to communicate well with young person
The Residential Worker can...
Keep routines and rules
Advantages
Creating calm
Limitations
Care is not always child-centred
Skills needed
Charts, rules, tokens, patience, consistency
The Residential Worker can...
Set limits
Advantages
Order and control
Limitations
Doesn't grow responsibility
Skills needed
Clear rewards and consequences