Workshop overview
In recent years, schools have reported a noticeable rise in aggression and hostility directed at staff, particularly from parents. These confrontational situations can be highly stressful, distressing, and at times place staff at risk of both emotional and physical harm.
This workshop is designed to help staff better understand and manage the impact of these encounters. Through a combination of theory, reflection, and practical strategies this equips staff with clear strategies to stay emotionally grounded, respond calmly under pressure, and set firm boundaries when faced with hostility or challenging behaviour.
Key areas of focus include:
- understanding the emotional demands of working in schools and how staff often carry the emotions of others
- the Drama Triangle – recognising the roles we adopt in conflict and how to step out of unhelpful patterns
- identifying characteristics of high-conflict personalities and their use of aggression
- recognising behaviour in students who may be affected by high-conflict parental dynamics
- the fight/flight/freeze response – how our nervous system reacts to conflict and its influence on our behaviour
- practical strategies for managing high-conflict and hostile parents
- setting clear boundaries and expectations to safeguard staff wellbeing
Workshop Outcomes
By the end of the workshop participants will:
- better understand their own emotional and behavioural responses to conflict and aggression
- gain insight into why some individuals respond with hostility or aggression
- learn strategies to reduce the emotional impact of difficult interactions
- develop skills to manage, de-escalate hostile and confrontational behaviour
- feel more confident in setting boundaries and expectations to protect themselves and their colleagues
Further Details
- this workshop is for teachers and staff in education facing difficult parents or can be tailored for any group
- 2 hour to 1 day workshop