LoginConflict Management and Personal Safety Training (Theory)
This theory session provides staff in public-facing roles with the knowledge to recognise, assess and safely manage conflict. It explores how stress and conflict affect the body and mind, helping participants understand their own reactions and those of others. Topics include recognising warning signs, assessing risk, maintaining situational awareness and managing personal responses during challenging interactions.
Participants also examine dynamic risk assessment and how to adapt their decisions as circumstances change. The session introduces verbal, positional and physical conflict management strategies, including communication, de-escalation, safe positioning and disengagement. It emphasises personal safety and proportionate, defensible decision-making, providing the foundation for the practical session.
Benefits of the course:
The benefits for attendees of this course are:
- Greater confidence when dealing with challenging or confrontational behaviour.
- Earlier recognition of warning signs, allowing action before conflict escalates.
- Improved awareness of personal safety and risks in the working environment.
- Better understanding of stress responses and how to remain composed under pressure.
- Stronger communication and de-escalation skills to support positive interactions.
- More informed judgement about when to engage, seek assistance or withdraw.
- A foundation for practical training and continued professional development.
Who should attend?
This course is suitable for:
This session helps front-line staff in public-facing roles, feel better prepared to manage challenging interactions and protect their personal safety. Attendees will develop practical knowledge they can apply in their daily work, supporting confident communication and sound professional judgement.
Suitable for frontline staff at all levels e.g. community wardens, enforcement officers, inspectors.
What you will learn
By the end of the theory session, participants will:
- Recognise early warning signs of conflict and potential aggression
- Understand how stress affects behaviour and decision-making
- Assess changing risks and identify appropriate responses
- Use communication and de-escalation strategies to help manage conflict
- Understand how awareness, positioning and safe disengagement support personal safety
- Make proportionate, defensible decisions and be better prepared for practical training
NOTE: There will be practical sessions that accompany this theory course which will be available to book soon. The trainer strongly recommends that anyone attending the practical training should also have completed the theory element first, as the two are directly linked. The theoretical training provides the essential knowledge and understanding that underpin the practical exercises.
Our Trainer
James Young - Associate, Barnsley & Barnsley Training and Consultancy
James Young, is exceptionally well-equipped to deliver personal safety and conflict management training, drawing on over 30 years of service with Strathclyde Police and Police Scotland retiring in the rank of Police Inspector.
Throughout his career, he has held a variety of demanding and specialist roles, including Chief Taser Instructor, Head of Operational Safety Training, and Armed Response Vehicles Operational Firearms Commander. James has led the design and implementation of Scotland’s first national Officer Safety Training programme and was pivotal in the introduction of Taser into Scottish Policing. He has designed and delivered operational safety training programmes for police officers, local authorities, and government agencies across the UK and Europe.
His academic achievements include a Diploma in Higher Education, Training and Development, and a BA with a Teaching Qualification in Further Education, further underpinning his expertise in teaching and training. As a recognised Use of Force Subject Matter Expert, he has contributed to national policy, provided expert opinion in court, and played a key role in quality assurance and assessment processes.
This extensive operational, instructional, and leadership experience ensures James is highly qualified to deliver comprehensive, effective, and engaging personal safety and conflict management training at both operational and management levels.
He is also a former Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) and Close Protection Officer and continues to provide consultancy and training in personal safety, operational risk, and conflict management.
James is an Associate with Barnsley & Barnsley Training and Consultancy, a firm that designs and delivers specialist investigative training, as well as personal safety and conflict management training.
Session and Booking Details
Available Sessions:
- Session 1: 16 November 2026
- Session 2: 15 December 2026
- Session 3: TBC
- Session 4: TBC
- Time: 09:00-12:30 (all sessions)
- Rate: FREE
- Location: via MS Teams
- CPPD: 3 hours
PLEASE NOTE: By clicking on the above link, you will be taken to CTSI's Booking Portal, where you can select your session and enter your details. Our general Terms and Conditions are here.
