PMVA Introduction Course (Beginners)

1. What is PMVA?

PMVA stands for Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression.
It is a structured approach designed to:

  • Prevent harm to clients (service users) and staff.
  • Manage challenging behaviour safely and ethically.
  • Protect the rights and dignity of service users.

PMVA is not about control or punishment. Instead, it provides safe methods to de-escalate aggression, reduce risk, and maintain a therapeutic environment.

2. Why do we have PMVA?

PMVA is important because:

  • It helps stop clients from harming themselves.
  • It helps stop clients from harming others (staff, peers, or the public).
  • It ensures that we protect the human rights and dignity of service users, even in crisis situations.
  • It ensures staff are trained to act legally, ethically, and safely.

3. What is Challenging Behaviour?

Challenging behaviour refers to actions by a service user that put themselves, others, or property at risk.
Examples include:

  • Aggression (verbal or physical).
  • Self-injury.
  • Disruptive behaviours that affect the care environment.

Challenging behaviour is often a form of communication – the person may be expressing distress, pain, fear, or unmet needs. PMVA helps staff recognise this and respond appropriately.

4. The NEAR Principle

PMVA uses the NEAR principle as a guide before any physical intervention:

  • N – Negotiate: Talk to the person, listen actively, and attempt to resolve the situation verbally. Offer choices and alternatives.
  • E – Exit: If negotiation fails and it is safe to do so, leave the situation to prevent escalation. Removing yourself can reduce tension.
  • A – Alarm: Raise the alarm — call for help from colleagues, use alarms or communication systems. Never deal with high-risk situations alone.
  • R – Reasonable Force: Only as a last resort, use the minimum amount of force necessary to prevent harm.

5. What is Reasonable Force?

  • Definition: Using only the minimum amount of force necessary to protect someone from harm.
  • It must be:
    • Proportionate: The level of force matches the level of risk.
    • Necessary: No other safer option was available.
    • Time-limited: Used only for as long as required.
  • Example: Holding someone’s arm gently to stop them from hitting their head on a wall would be reasonable; pinning them to the ground for shouting would not.