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
  • 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
  • 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

  • Support
  • 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

  • Routines and rules
  • 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

  • Limits
  • The Residential Worker can...
    Set limits

    Advantages
    Order and control

    Limitations
    Doesn't grow responsibility

    Skills needed
    Clear rewards and consequences