Breakaway Training

Breakaway Training Course

Our Breakaway Training course equips healthcare and social care professionals with essential skills to safely disengage from potentially dangerous physical confrontations. This one-day intensive course focuses on non-violent techniques to remove oneself from various holds and grabs, while prioritising the safety of both the professional and the individual they are caring for.

Participants will learn to recognize early signs of aggression, apply de-escalation techniques, and execute safe breakaway methods. The breakaway course includes classroom discussion, demonstrations, and hands-on breakaway technique practice. It also covers important rules about using these techniques, so participants understand their rights and duties.

The course covers legal and ethical considerations surrounding the use of these techniques, ensuring participants understand their rights and responsibilities. Upon completion, attendees will receive a certificate valid for one year, enhancing their ability to maintain personal safety while ensuring patient/client dignity in challenging situations. This training is ideal for nurses, healthcare assistants, social workers, and any staff working in settings where there’s a risk of physical confrontation.

An alternative for schools, parents, and care homes is our Managing Challenging Behaviour training. This course helps staff handle difficult situations with confidence, encourage positive behaviour, and create a more peaceful work environment.

Breakaway training is particularly useful for learning how to safely handle potentially aggressive or violent situations with patients or clients. You can discuss your organisation’s challenges with our team, so we can provide the right training to fit your needs. All our crisis intervention training courses are bespoke and tailored specifically to solve the problems you face.

• Course Duration: 4- 6 hours
• Course Level: Level 3
• Certificate: 1-year certificate
• Max Delegates: 10
• Practical: Yes
• Course Mode: Face to Face

Course Outline: Breakaway Training

We have created this comprehensive Breakaway Training course to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to handle potentially threatening situations safely.

The course focuses on ensuring personal safety and following legal guidelines.

1. Legal Frameworks in Breakaway Training

Imagine you are working in healthcare and a patient becomes upset and starts to act aggressively. In this course, you will learn about your legal rights when it comes to using force to protect yourself or others. You will also understand the importance of proper documentation and reporting to prevent legal issues.

• Introduction to relevant legal guidelines and regulations on self-defence and personal safety.
• Understanding your rights and responsibilities when facing an attack or danger.

2. Understanding the Causes and Build-up of an Attack

Not every aggressive situation leads to violence, but it is important to spot warning signs. Our Breakaway Training will help you recognise triggers and behaviours that may lead to an attack, allowing you to de-escalate situations before they escalate.

• Identifying early warning signs and triggers of aggressive behaviour.
• Analysing factors that may escalate confrontations.
• Recognising the importance of being aware of your surroundings and making proactive decisions.

3. Actions to Avoid Being Restrained or Attacked

Prevention is better than cure. In this part of the training, you will learn simple yet effective strategies to avoid being restrained or attacked. This includes staying aware of your surroundings, positioning yourself safely, and using communication to calm tense situations.

• Demonstrating techniques to create distance and avoid dangerous situations.
• Teaching strategies to de-escalate conflicts and calm aggressive encounters.
• Understanding the importance of effective communication and conflict resolution.

4. Safely Disengage from Being Held

If you find yourself being physically restrained, do not panic. Breakaway Training teaches you practical techniques to safely disengage. You will learn how to use pressure points, leverage, and break grips to free yourself.

• Training in practical methods to escape physical restraints.
• Exploring ways to maintain balance and leverage in critical situations.
• Practising safe and controlled responses to physical threats.

5. Safely Disengage Another Person from Being Held

If you see someone else being restrained or attacked, knowing how to intervene safely can make a big difference. This part of the training teaches you safe intervention techniques and how to manage risks.

• Learning techniques to assist others who are being restrained or attacked.
• Understanding how to provide support without putting yourself at risk.
• Emphasising teamwork and cooperation during interventions.

6. Avoiding and Defending Against Kicks and Punches

In physical assaults, there is a chance of kicks and punches, so preparation is important. Breakaway Training teaches you how to avoid these attacks by blocking, dodging, and using your body as a barrier. You will also learn basic defensive techniques.

• Developing strategies to evade and protect against kicks and punches.
• Practising blocking and counter-attack techniques to handle physical threats.
• Exploring non-violent options to manage aggressive behaviour effectively.

7. Post-Incident Actions

After an incident involving restraint or attack, it is important to follow proper procedures. This includes documenting the incident, reporting it to the relevant authorities, and discussing it with colleagues to reflect on the experience and identify improvements.

• Understanding the importance of self-assessment and seeking medical help if needed.
• Knowing your legal obligations, such as reporting incidents and cooperating with authorities.
• Identifying support systems available for coping with the aftermath of a confrontation.

8. Record Keeping and De-Briefing

Accurate documentation is vital for legal and safety reasons. Breakaway Training emphasises keeping detailed records of incidents, including the date, time, location, people involved, and what happened. Debriefing provides a safe space to discuss the incident, learn from it, and promote a culture of safety.

• Highlighting the significance of accurate documentation after any incident.
• Exploring best practices for recording details and preserving evidence.
• Conducting debriefing sessions to analyse responses and identify areas for improvement.

Through a mix of theory, practical exercises, and scenario-based training, participants will gain confidence and skills in handling challenging situations, ensuring their safety and the safety of others.

Learning Outcome:

Upon completing the comprehensive breakaway training course, participants will achieve the following learning outcomes:

1. Understand legal frameworks relevant to personal safety and self-defense in healthcare settings.
2. Recognise early warning signs and triggers of aggressive behavior, enabling proactive decision-making.
3. Participants will actively employ techniques to prevent restraint or assault, thereby fostering a safer environment.
4. Safely disengage from physical restraints or attacks using appropriate maneuvers and methods.
5. Participants will use intervention techniques to support and ensure the safety of others facing restraint or attack.
6. Effectively avoid and defend against kicks and punches, mitigating potential harm.
7. Describe post-incident actions, including proper record-keeping and debriefing, for continuous improvement and learning.

Participants will gain confidence in navigating challenging encounters while prioritizing personal safety, de-escalation, and legal compliance in healthcare settings.

How long does breakaway training take?

Evidence Based Results:

De-escalation training targeting psychiatric nurses reduced the use of physical restraints by approximately 26.4% to 74.0% – NIH Report, 2024.

Three in ten NHS workers who interact with patients experience violence from a patient at least once a year, highlighting the importance of breakaway training. – YouGov, 2022.

Breakaway Course Benefits

Breakaway Training provides many important benefits for both workers and organisations, helping to create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.

Benefits to workers:

• Enhanced personal safety and self-protection skills.
• Improved communication and de-escalation skills.
• Reduced stress and anxiety in potentially dangerous situations.
• Increased confidence in handling challenging encounters.
• Empowerment to take control and protect oneself.
• Reduced risk of injury or harm.
• Improved self-esteem and overall well-being.

Benefits to the organisation:

• Reduced liability and legal risks.
• Enhanced teamwork, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to safety.
• Improved organisational culture and employee morale.
• Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism due to safety concerns.
• Enhanced brand reputation for prioritising employee safety and well-being.
• Potential for cost savings related to workplace violence incidents.
• Increased productivity and efficiency due to a safer and more supportive work environment.
• A competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.

Other De-escalation Trainings For You:

• Restraint Training: Learning how to handle tough situations safely in schools.
• Prevent Duty Training: Understanding what to do to stop bad things happening in schools.
• Positive Handling Training: Ways to manage difficult behaviours safely in schools.
• Physical Intervention Training: Learning safe ways to respond physically in school situations.
• Positive Behaviour & Breakaway For Schools Training: Teaching good behaviour and safe ways to handle problems in schools.

Target Audience:

This training is designed for individuals or organisations that may face challenging or aggressive situations in their work environments.

Customer Testimonials:

Our breakaway course is nationally accredited and rated ‘Excellent’ by people who have attended both onsite and offsite. They feel confident demonstrating their skills at work. We have a 99% recommendation rate, and we are always working hard to raise our standards.

You can read some of the reviews collected from trusted websites like Trustpilot, Google, and Review.io:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The lecture was very informative. Nice balance of discussion and practical. Tailored to our work place so everything was relevant.” – Carole Knight

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The training was very informative in a fun, laid back way. It was a great mix of practical and power point with lots of group discussions.
It really helped building confidence in what is the right way to use break out techniques . I definitely recommend booking and hope to receive further training in the future.” – Danielle Morris

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The training was for RGNs it was pitched perfectly. They really enjoyed it and got from it what they needed. It was never dull. We all agreed on break times which fitted in well. Great day.” – Linda Streeter

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“All 8 candidates enjoyed their training. They reported that the training was better than previous training from other providers. They learned new techniques and some of our previous skills have been updated and improved on.” – John Mechan

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The booking process was straightforward with no hassle. I requested to change the start time, and no hassle and communication was brilliant. I can highly recommend this Company. Our Trainer was articulate, knowledge of the course and patient. A well-delivered course, the practical made every attendee more confident to go and utilise their training.” – Melinda Tsitsi Appleyard

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The train we had today was “managing challenging behaviour” and Kev made super easy to understand. I hope my next training will be with you still.”  – Privas Tchamda Tchasseu

Career Opportunities

Completing breakaway technique training can help you in many healthcare and social care jobs. Here are some career paths where this training is especially useful:

1. Healthcare Security Specialist:
   • Hospitals often hire security staff with breakaway training to keep everyone safe.
2. Mental Health Nurse:
   • Nurses in psychiatric units use breakaway skills to handle tough situations safely.
3. Social Worker:
   • Social workers in child protection or high-risk adult services need these skills for home visits or difficult environments.
4. Care Home Manager:
   • Knowing breakaway techniques helps create safer places and train staff in care homes.
5. Special Education Teacher:
   • Teachers working with students who have behaviour challenges may need these skills to keep the classroom safe.
6. Occupational Therapist:
   • These skills are useful when working with patients who have cognitive or behaviour issues.
7. Emergency Room Nurse:
   • Nurses in the ER face fast-paced situations, making breakaway skills important.
8. Paramedic:
   • First responders often deal with high-stress situations where these skills are vital.
9. Prison Officer:
   • In prisons, breakaway techniques are essential for personal safety.
10. Trainer/Instructor:

• With experience, you could teach breakaway techniques to others.

Breakaway Training FAQs

1. Can I request customised training for my organisation?

Absolutely! We offer tailored breakaway training courses designed to meet the specific needs and scenarios of your organisation. Please get in touch with us to discuss how we can customise the training for you.

2. Why should care professionals take a breakaway course?

Healthcare workers should consider breakaway training to:

• Stay Safe: Learn how to manage challenging situations safely.
• Calm Tensions: Acquire strategies to de-escalate conflicts with patients or visitors.
• Build Confidence: Feel more assured when handling difficult moments at work.
• Understand Legal Aspects: Gain knowledge about self-defence laws and patient safety.
• Escape Safely: Learn effective strategies to disengage from potential harm.
• Prioritise Patient Safety: Ensure patient well-being while maintaining a safe environment.

3. What will I learn in the breakaway course?

The breakaway course will equip you with practical skills to safely handle challenging situations involving potential restraint or aggression, focusing on safety for everyone involved.

4. Is the breakaway training suitable for beginners?

Yes, this training is ideal for beginners. It covers essential skills needed to manage difficult situations, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of experience.

5. Are there any physical fitness requirements for the course?

The course is designed to accommodate participants of all fitness levels. It focuses on techniques that can be executed by individuals with varying physical abilities, ensuring inclusivity.

6. Who is the target audience for the breakaway course?

The primary audience for the comprehensive breakaway training includes:

• Healthcare Professionals
• Social Workers
• Educators
• Caregivers and Support Workers
• Emergency Responders

7. Will I receive a certification after completing the breakaway course?

Yes! Participants who successfully complete the Breakaway Training Course will receive a certification recognising their proficiency in the skills learned.

8. What is breakaway training in the NHS?

NHS Breakaway training is a specialised programme designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills needed to safely manage challenging or confrontational situations. It focuses on techniques that allow individuals to disengage safely while prioritising the well-being of all parties involved.

Other Common Questions Received

Q: How often do I need to renew my breakaway training certification?
A: Most organisations recommend annual refresher courses to maintain skills and stay updated on best practices.

Q: Is breakaway training the same as self-defence?
A: While there are similarities, breakaway training focuses on safely escaping holds and grabs, rather than fighting back or subduing an aggressor. We have a blog title what is breakaway techniques which gives you full details about the course.

Q: Can I use breakaway techniques on patients/clients?
A: Breakaway techniques are primarily for staff safety. They should only be used on patients or clients as a last resort when other de-escalation methods have failed, and there is an immediate risk of harm.

Q: Will this training teach me how to restrain others?
A: No, breakaway training focuses on escaping holds, not applying them. Restraint techniques are typically covered in separate, specialised courses.

Q: Is breakaway training legally required for healthcare workers?
A: Requirements vary by country, region, and specific job role. Many healthcare organisations mandate this training for staff in high-risk areas, but it is not universally required by law.

Q: Can I get breakaway training if I’m not in healthcare or social care?
A: While the training is designed for these sectors, the skills can be valuable in many professions. Some training providers offer courses for other industries where staff may face similar risks.

Q: How long does a typical breakaway training course take?
A: Most basic courses are completed in one day (4-6 hours). Some organisations require their team members to have training for more days due to their work settings. You can discuss with our team about your situation and we will let you know better.

Q: Are there any risks in learning breakaway techniques?
A: When taught properly, the risks are minimal. However, as the training involves physical techniques, participants should inform instructors of any health concerns or physical limitations.

As I have told others... It is the best, most informative training I have ever attended