Interchange WA is very proud to become the first disability support provider in Australia to offer specialist non-violent crisis intervention (NVCI) training to staff, certified by the international behaviour management organisation, Crisis Prevention Institute.

Our very own Trainer, expert and Midland Service Centre Manager, John Fulker, who has more than 10 years’ experience in NVCI training, is rolling out new Management of Actual and Potential Aggression (MAPA) program to staff from all seven Service Centres.

The training focuses on proactive strategies to stop someone from reaching a point of crisis, in line with the Interchange Positive Behaviour Support framework. It seeks to change the environment to better meet a person’s needs and prevent the frequency, severity and duration of behaviours of concern to improve their quality of life.

There are two core practical components to the training; disengagement techniques that are taught to all staff and holding techniques, which are only taught to select staff who support customers who require this type of support.

Disengagement techniques focus on safely removing yourself from a situation where you are at risk of or have been constrained physically, whereas holding techniques involve a more hands on approach and constitute a restrictive practice.

John says that there is a common misconception that the training is all about reactive strategies. “We need to be prepared to respond to a situation if it reaches a point of crisis – this is our reactive strategy – but this is a small part of the course,” said John.

“Physical reactive strategies are always used as a last resort for the least amount of time.”

“We need to focus on proactive strategies. This approach is designed to keep everyone who is part of the crisis safe and de-escalate the situation,” said John.

John will continue to roll out this Australian-first training throughout the year.