Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) is a training programme used in many schools to teach staff how to recognise early signs of distress and respond to student behaviour in ways that prevent escalation. The approach emphasises de-escalation strategies such as calm communication, reducing environmental stressors, offering space, and supporting a student to regain regulation. The core goal of CPI is prevention. Staff are trained to intervene early—before a situation becomes dangerous—and to use supportive strategies that prioritise safety and dignity. Physical interventions such as restraint are described within the model as a last resort, intended only when there is an immediate risk of harm and other strategies have not worked. In practice, the effectiveness of CPI depends on how it is implemented. When the underlying causes of distress—such as sensory overload, unmet accommodations, bullying, or academic frustration—are not addressed, crisis responses can become repetitive and reactive. In these situations, staff may focus on managing behaviour in the moment rather than preventing the conditions that lead to crisis.

CPI training can support safer responses to distress, but it does not replace the need for accessible environments, consistent accommodations, and proactive supports that reduce the likelihood of crisis in the first place.