Course Overview

Whether you work with children, young people or adults, one of the hardest things is knowing what to do when those you work with are experiencing real distress and behaving in a way that challenges your ability to support them. 

CALM’s Core Theory Course will help you understand behaviours that challenge, and how to reduce – and prevent – those behaviours over time. With a focus on prevention and reduction of restrictive responses, CALM Core Theory will also teach you how to confidently manage a crisis if and when it occurs. 

This 2-day course is an in-depth examination of best practice in attachment based and trauma informed positive behaviour support (PBS). This course offers participants an opportunity to reflect on and explore their everyday work practice and how this aligns to best practice principles based on theory and professional frameworks. This training includes how to develop whole person support plans based on an individualised assessment.  

Language matters: Why we use “Behaviour that Challenges” and not “Challenging Behaviour” 


Language is powerful – it can both label people unhelpfully and lead the way we think. At CALM we consciously use the term ‘distress presenting as behaviour that challenges’ as it reminds us that behaviour itself is often an expression of emotion or a form of communication. This is human rights respecting and puts the person at the heart of our thoughts and responses. 

What you’ll learn

Right for you?

Who is This Course For?

CALM Core Theory is not a one-size-fits-all approach; we have tailored programmes to speak to the unique challenges and situations of several sectors. Below are a few examples of the types of services and individual roles who have benefitted from this course. 

This list is not exhaustive so if you do not see your sector/role – get in touch and we can help you find the course for you! 

Education Services

Mainstream schools, ASN (Additional Support Needs) schools, SEN (Special Educational Needs) schools, SEBN (Social, Emotional, Behavioural Needs) 

CALM Core Theory is a whole sector approach that can benefit anyone working in Education Services. 

Roles: Pupil Support Assistants, Catering and Estates staff, Teachers, Principal Teachers, Head Teachers, Class-room Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Special Needs Assistants, Early Childhood Educators, Educational Psychologists, anyone in a Learning and Development role, anyone in a supervisory or senior management role.  

Social Care

Residential Childcare, Supported Living, Housing Support Services, Respite Care, Day Supports 

CALM Core Theory is a whole sector approach that can benefit anyone working across the Social Care Sector. 

Roles: Anyone in an L & D role Support Assistants, Support Workers, Senior Support Workers, Team Leaders, Project Managers, Operational Managers, Social Workers, addiction workers, workers with homeless, anyone in a supervisory or senior management role.  

Health Services

In patient dementia and older adult services, adolescent and young people in patient settings, Addiction services, Homeless services, forensic services 

CALM Core Theory is a whole sector approach that can benefit anyone working in Health Services. 

Roles: Health Care Assistants, Registered Nurses, Doctors, addiction workers, project workers, Reception/Admin staff, Community Health staff, Multi-disciplinary roles such as Speech and Language therapists, OT’s, anyone in an L & D role, anyone in a supervisory or senior management role. 

Testimonials

What Others Say

” I came on this course looking for ways to de-escalate behaviour. I now realise that approach is reactive and limited in terms of reducing the chance of it happening again. What I have come away with is so much more. Prevention is so clearly key and I’ve learned what goes on after an incident is crucial too. “

CALM Core Theory
Student
” I felt that the trainer was very skilled in the way she used personal practice examples to bring to life some complex theories and frameworks included in the programme. This really resonated with me and has made me think deeply about my own practice and that of my team. I don’t think I will ever forget the story of ‘Ryan’ and how our own behaviours and emotional responses can actually cause restraint “

CALM Core Theory
Student
” This whole 2 days has just helped me come right back to the reason why I came into this work. I have been reminded of why a lot of this behaviour occurs. “

CALM Core Theory
Student

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