Ensuring Safety: Our Approach to Crisis Prevention and Intervention 

We understand that children attending our school with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs, may sometimes face challenges managing strong emotions or stressful situations. Our school uses a comprehensive, proactive approach to safety and behaviour management based on the principles of the Safety Intervention training from the Crisis Prevention Institute. 

 

 

What is the CPI Approach? 

This training is designed for staff to respond calmly, respectfully, and effectively when a learner is showing signs of distress or escalating behaviour. It is focused on prevention and de-escalation, ensuring the safety and dignity of every learner. 

• Focus on Prevention: We believe the best intervention is prevention. Our staff are trained to recognise the early warning signs of distress and use supportive strategies before a crisis occurs. 

• Empathy and De-escalation: The core of the approach is using calm, non-threatening verbal and non verbal techniques to help a learner regain control. This involves a therapeutic approach with listening, understanding the learner's perspective, and providing support to reduce their anxiety and return them to a learning-ready state. 

• Safety as a Priority: The safety of all learners and staff is our highest priority. The Safety Intervention techniques teach staff the safest ways to manage behaviour and keep everyone secure during a difficult moment. 

Physical Intervention as a Last Resort 

It's important for families to know that physical intervention (holding or physically supporting a learner) is considered a last resort and is only used in situations where a learner is posing an immediate, serious danger to themselves or to others. 

If physical intervention becomes absolutely necessary to prevent injury, our staff are trained in CPI's nonviolent, safe, and less restrictive holding skills, which are discontinued immediately once the danger has passed. 

 

Our Commitment to Your Child 

By using the CPI framework, we are committed to: 

• Understanding your child's behaviour as a form of communication. 

• Responding to distress with empathy, not punishment. 

• Minimising the use of restrictive measures. 

• Creating a supportive and safe learning environment where all children can thrive. 

 

 

Hill View School are members of the Restraint Reduction Network and have a commitment to eliminating the unnecessary use of restrictive practices.  

 

If you have any questions about this approach or how it supports your child's individual needs, please don't hesitate to contact the school office or your child's teacher to further develop their Learner Wellbeing and Welfare Plan. 

 

Please click on the links on the right hand side to find out more about restrictive safety interventions.