Safe By Design: Behavioural Detection for Educators

Schools are under more pressure than ever to balance safety, wellbeing, and education – often with fewer resources and growing concerns around behaviour, violence, and mental health. While most safeguarding training focuses on what to do after something happens, this course focuses on what to notice before it does.

• How to identify subtle nonverbal cues and behavioural shifts that may precede escalation or distress.
• Techniques to spot changes in classroom dynamics and social groupings.
• Practical strategies to enhance personal situational awareness in and around school grounds.
• Tools for de-escalation and supportive intervention without confrontation.
• The importance of baseline behaviour and how to detect deviations early.
• Understand the why behind certain behaviours, not just the what
• Feel more confident making the call to intervene, escalate, or support
• Strengthen school-wide vigilance without increasing anxiety
• Reduce reliance on reactive systems by embedding proactive habits

LO1 – Demonstrate enhanced situational awareness to promote a safe and orderly learning environment

• Develop the ability to assess environmental and social factors that influence behaviour and risk.
• Recognise how transitions, unsupervised spaces, and group dynamics may contribute to safeguarding vulnerabilities.
• Apply professional judgement to reduce risk and promote pupil welfare
• Use the ANPA framework to identify when something is out of place or deviates from expected behaviour or environmental patterns

LO2 – Apply structured behavioural assessment frameworks to identify potential concerns

• Use the JACA and Pathway to Violence framework to analyse potential behavioural risk
• Understand the importance of professional curiosity when faced with subtle but concerning behaviours
• Use the ANOTA process to ensure all identified anomalies are followed up appropriately – supporting early intervention and safeguarding practices

LO3 – Identify nonverbal communication and pre-incident indicators to inform early intervention

• Develop awareness of key behavioural cues linked to concealed stress or distress
• Recognise patterns in body language, facial expression, and physical behaviour that may indicate risk
• Integrate observational insight into classroom management and safeguarding routines

LO4 – Understand the neurological basis of emotional escalation to support regulation and response

• Gain insight into “amygdala hijacking” and its impact on pupil behaviour and staff response
• Recognise the signs of emotional overload in pupils and colleagues
• Employ strategies to maintain professional composure and provide calm, structured support

LO5 – Apply the principles of proxemics to support positive relationships and behaviour management

• Understand how the use of space can influence behaviour, perception, and engagement
• Adapt spatial positioning to de-escalate conflict, encourage cooperation, and reinforce professional boundaries
• Promote psychological safety by respecting and managing personal and social space within the school setting

LO6 – Use effective de-escalation strategies informed by behavioural science and nonverbal communication

• Employ non-confrontational communication techniques to reduce agitation and maintain control
• Use posture, tone, and positioning to support emotionally safe interventions
• Foster a proactive approach to behaviour management that aligns with the school’s safeguarding and wellbeing ethos

Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a Certificate in Behavioural Awareness & Threat Detection for Educators, evidencing 4 hours of lifelong learning, knowledge and skills progression focused on situational awareness, early intervention, and behavioural risk assessment in line with safeguarding best practice.

The Safe by Design: Behavioural Awareness & Threat Detection for Educators course is designed for professionals working across the education sector -empowering them with practical tools to enhance situational awareness, identify concerning behaviour early, and contribute to a safer school environment.

This course is suitable for:

• Teaching Staff: Classroom teachers, heads of year, and form tutors who interact daily with pupils and are often the first to spot subtle behavioural changes.
• Pastoral and Safeguarding Leads: Staff with responsibility for wellbeing, safeguarding, or behaviour who need enhanced tools for early detection and intervention.
• Teaching Assistants and Support Workers: Staff supporting in-class learning or supervising less structured areas such as corridors, playgrounds, or school transport.
• Senior Leadership Teams (SLT): Decision-makers seeking to embed proactive behavioural detection and situational awareness practices into whole-school safeguarding strategies.
• Site Managers and Supervisory Staff: Individuals involved in monitoring school grounds, entrances, and communal areas who may witness concerning behaviours outside of classroom settings.

This course is ideal for anyone in an educational setting looking to strengthen their ability to detect early signs of distress, disruption, or potential threat using behavioural insight and practical observation to support a calm, safe, and supportive school environment.

There are no formal prerequisites for attending the Safe by Design: Behavioural Awareness & Threat Detection for Educators course.

Passion and Background in the Education Sector

Have a working knowledge of day-to-day school routines and behaviour management practices

Commitment to Skill Development

The course requires active engagement and a willingness to apply psychological and behavioural frameworks in real-time scenarios.

Basic English Proficiency

Since the course materials and instruction are provided in English, participants should have a good understanding of the language to engage fully with the content. 

This course is suitable for individuals with or without prior training in threat assessment or behavioural detection. All concepts are introduced in plain language and supported with real-world examples tailored to the education sector.

Situational Awareness in School Settings

Learn how to observe and assess your environment more effectively, recognising when routines, group dynamics, or environmental factors raise behavioural risk.

Behavioural Patterns & Early Indicators

What to look for when behaviour begins to change – and how to spot the small signals before they become bigger issues.

Reading Nonverbal Cues

How posture, movement, and expression can reveal more than words, and how to use this insight to inform supportive interventions.

Space, Presence, and Influence

How the use of space affects behaviour, and how to position yourself to reduce tension and build psychological safety.

Preventative Responses

How to address potential concerns early, supportively, and in a way that aligns with whole-school wellbeing and safeguarding practices.

A Course Information Pack will be sent to you once you have been successfully booked onto a course and payment made in full. This will detail instructions for joining the course, expectations of behaviour during your time with us, local accommodation (if required), and the training venue. If you have any questions, please email us at the following address: [email protected] and one of our team will be in touch.

To book a Private Course, please email us at: [email protected] including some information in the message area covering the following points:

• Company Name / Location / Contact Details
• Point of Contact Name / Position in Company
• Preferred Date of Delivery
• Number of Attendees

One of our team will make contact with you within 24 to 48 hours.