This guide explains practical behaviour de-escalation strategies for schools, focusing on calm presence, non-verbal signals, and simple verbal scripts. It outlines a 7 step de-escalation flow linked to dynamic risk assessment, three core strategies, four types of de-escalation, and key do-nots. Readers will learn how to keep pupils and staff safe, preserve dignity, and embed routines that reduce incidents over time.

Adverse Childhood Experiences have entered everyday school conversations, yet the term is often used loosely. If you lead on safeguarding, behaviour or SEMH, you need clarity on what ACEs are, what the evidence really says, and what to do in practice. This guide sets out the core facts, common pitfalls, and a practical route to embed trauma aware approaches without labelling pupils or overreaching the research.