1 Know the basics

Before you can teach de-escalation skills, you need to understand the principles and practices of de-escalation yourself. De-escalation is the process of reducing the intensity and risk of a situation by using verbal and non-verbal strategies to establish rapport, empathy, and trust with the other person. Some of the key skills involved are active listening, reflecting, validating, reframing, setting boundaries, and offering choices. You should also be aware of your own triggers, emotions, and biases that may affect your de-escalation efforts.

2 Use scenarios and role-plays

One of the best ways to teach de-escalation skills is to use realistic scenarios and role-plays that simulate the situations that social workers may encounter in their work. This allows you to demonstrate and practice the skills in a safe and controlled environment, and to provide feedback and guidance to the learners. You can use case studies, videos, or scripts to create the scenarios, and vary the level of difficulty and complexity according to the learners' needs and goals. You should also debrief the role-plays and discuss what worked well and what could be improved.

3 Incorporate theory and evidence

While scenarios and role-plays are effective for teaching de-escalation skills, they should not be the only method. You should also incorporate some theory and evidence to explain the rationale and benefits of de-escalation, and to support the learners' understanding and application of the skills. You can use models, frameworks, or guidelines that outline the steps and stages of de-escalation, and share research or best practices that show the impact and outcomes of de-escalation. You should also link the theory and evidence to the scenarios and role-plays to reinforce the learning.

4 Foster a supportive culture

Teaching de-escalation skills is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and improvement. You should foster a supportive culture that encourages and enables the learners to apply, reflect, and refine their de-escalation skills in their work. You can do this by creating opportunities for peer learning, coaching, mentoring, and feedback, and by providing resources and tools that support de-escalation. You should also model and promote a positive attitude towards de-escalation, and acknowledge and celebrate the learners' achievements and progress.

5 Evaluate and adapt

Finally, you should evaluate and adapt your teaching methods and materials to ensure that they are effective and relevant for the learners and the context. You can use various methods to assess the learners' knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards de-escalation, such as quizzes, surveys, observations, or interviews. You should also solicit feedback from the learners and other stakeholders on the strengths and weaknesses of your teaching approach, and identify areas for improvement or change. You should then use the evaluation results to modify and update your teaching plan and content accordingly.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?