Non-Violent Resistance 8 Week Training Programme

Brief Overview

Building resilience in the face of anger, conflict and violence – a programme to promote placement stability - Eight week course

What is NVR?

Non-violent resistance is an evidence based model. It is an approach designed by Professor Haim Omer to help parents and foster carers increase their ‘parental presence’ in the face of aggressive and challenging behaviours. The non-violent and direct action methods originate from non-violent political struggles led by Gandi and Martin Luther King. NVR methods do not rely on the child or young person’s co-operation or participation – parents/foster carers and their supporters take one sided action. Parents/foster carers are coached to be activists in challenging and adverse situations, to de-escalate and reduce conflict and to claim back space in the family home, refusing to give in to unreasonable demands and to at the same time reconnect with the child/young person though very specific and individualised methods, based on reconciliation gestures.

Why NVR?

Often children and young people undertaking risk taking and challenging behaviours such as violence inside or outside of the home, truanting, going missing, stealing, drug-taking and putting themselves at risk outside of the home can struggle to access and sustain engagement with therapeutic services and intervention. Parents/ foster carers can often in the face of such behaviours feel isolated, powerless, uncertain in how to respond and fearful for the safety of the child/young person, themselves and others. NVR is a method which effectively increases parents/foster carers timely and carefully planned responses in partnership with their support network. It increases parental/caregiver strength and reduces feelings of isolation and powerlessness. It provides a strong sense of proactively responding to challenging behaviours whilst reaching out to children/young people.
Non-violent resistance is an ethos which takes into account developmental trauma, working to bring about improvements in behaviours and to reduce the risk of placement and family disruptions.
Resisting destructive behaviours is a powerful choice to make! It works!

Who is NVR designed for?

NVR is designed for parents and foster carers experiencing any of the following behavioural difficulties:
Physical violence Verbal abuse Destruction of property Drug or alcohol misuse Criminal activity Violent self-harm