PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression
3-day PMVA training in London — £300 all-inclusive, de-escalation first, hands-on practical skills.
3-day PMVA course in London for healthcare, mental health, social care, education and security staff — de-escalation, risk assessment, breakaway and safe physical intervention with minimal restraint.
- De-escalation-first approach
- Breakaway & safe holding skills
- Ideal for agency & care workers
See PMVA training in action
Every technique is taught step by step, practised on safety mats and closely supervised by your instructor.
Preparing for NHS, healthcare or care work?
Build your confidence in recognising escalating behaviour, communicating calmly and protecting dignity in challenging situations. Our PMVA course puts prevention and de-escalation first, with supervised breakaway practice and physical intervention as a last resort.
For healthcare assistants, support workers, agency carers and people preparing for patient-facing roles or other workplaces where aggression may occur. £300 all-inclusive · 3 Days.
Enquire About PMVA TrainingApplying for an NHS or agency role? Ask the employer which training and certification they accept before booking. This course does not guarantee NHS employment or replace employer induction, clinical training or workplace policies.
Healthcare & workplace safety
How Common Is Violence Against NHS Staff in England and What Is Being Done to Stop It?
Explore the NHS Staff Survey evidence, the steps employers are taking and where PMVA training fits into safer, person-centred care.
Read the NHS Staff Safety Article- Ofqual Regulated
- Ofqual-Regulated First Aid
- Fire Marshal Certified
- Weekly Course Starts
About this course
Our PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) course in London gives front-line staff the confidence to prevent, de-escalate and safely manage challenging behaviour. Built for healthcare assistants, mental health and support workers, nurses, social care and education staff, agency workers and security officers working in hospitals or care settings, the course puts prevention and communication first and physical intervention last. Over three days you will learn to assess risk, recognise triggers and warning signs, use proven verbal and non-verbal de-escalation, apply breakaway techniques and, only where necessary, use safe, proportionate holding skills with the least restrictive approach. Every technique is taught in line with the law on reasonable force, human rights and restraint-reduction principles, with plenty of supervised practice on padded mats in a small group.
Who is this course for?
- Healthcare assistants, nurses and mental health support workers
- Social care, supported living and learning disability staff
- Education, SEN and youth work staff
- Agency and bank healthcare workers needing PMVA for placements
- Security officers working in hospitals, A&E and care settings
What you'll learn
- Law, Human Rights & Reasonable Force
- Understanding Behaviours of Concern & the Assault Cycle
- Primary & Secondary Prevention Strategies
- Verbal & Non-Verbal De-escalation
- Breakaway Techniques
- Safe Physical Intervention & Restraint Reduction
- Post-Incident Support, Recording & Reflection
Detailed syllabus
Law, Human Rights & Reasonable Force
The legal framework for restrictive intervention, reasonable and proportionate force, the Human Rights Act, Mental Capacity Act and your duty of care — and the limits on what you may lawfully do.
Understanding Behaviours of Concern
Causes of distress and aggression, the stages of the assault cycle, environmental and procedural triggers, and the warning and danger signs that a situation is escalating.
Primary & Secondary Prevention
Person-centred strategies that meet needs proactively, positive behaviour support principles, and balancing quality of life with reducing restraint.
Communication & De-escalation
Verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, cultural awareness, reading body language and creating conditions where communication can succeed.
Breakaway Techniques
Simple, low-risk disengagement skills to release from grabs, holds and strangles while protecting yourself and the person.
Safe Physical Intervention
Supported escorts and holding skills used only as a last resort, with the least restrictive approach, continuous monitoring and awareness of positional asphyxia and medical risk.
Post-Incident Support & Recording
Debriefing, wellbeing support for staff and the person, accurate incident reporting and reflective learning to reduce future restraint.
Assessment
Continuous practical observation of de-escalation, breakaway and holding skills, plus a written knowledge check at the end of the course.
Resits: If any practical skill needs more work, your trainer will advise on further practice and reassessment options.
Career opportunities
Hospitals & Mental Health Units
PMVA training is commonly requested for healthcare assistant, support worker and ward security roles in NHS and private settings.
Care, Supported Living & SEN
Care providers, residential homes and special schools often ask for evidence of training in managing challenging behaviour.
Agency & Bank Work
Many recruitment agencies require PMVA before placing staff in mental health or high-acuity settings — a certificate widens the shifts you can accept.
Explore training locations and areas served
Eligibility requirements
- Aged 18 or over
- Valid photo ID
- Able to lower to the floor and stand up unaided
- Not pregnant — post-natal learners should check with their GP first
- Wear comfortable clothing and trainers (e.g. tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt)
Your £300 PMVA course, all-inclusive
3 Days of training and assessment at one of our East London venues, delivered by experienced instructors. No hidden fees.
- One transparent price — no upsells
- Ofqual regulated
PMVA — FAQs
PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression by location
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Ilford
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Barking
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Whitechapel
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Rainham
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in East Ham
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Romford
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Dagenham
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Stratford
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Goodmayes
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Forest Gate
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Manor Park
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Upton Park
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in West Ham
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Plaistow
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Beckton
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Canning Town
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Woolwich
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Canary Wharf
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Mile End
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Hackney
- PMVA Training — Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression in Shoreditch
Ready to start your PMVA course?
Weekly start dates · Ofqual-regulated · All-inclusive £300