The SWIFT+R™ Crisis Model is a 6-step, trauma-responsive framework for managing high-risk moments when a young person enters fight, flight or freeze.
It is the emergency harness within the SPARK Care™ system used when prevention has not been enough and safety must be restored calmly, predictably and with dignity.
This is not a restraint model.
It is a low-demand, neuro-smart de-escalation framework designed to reduce escalation, protect relationships and support reflective recovery after incidents.
SWIFT+R™ was developed by our founder, Ash Derges, drawing on over five years of frontline experience in supported accommodation and children’s residential care, alongside lived experience of the care system. It exists to solve a common problem in crisis response which is too much talking, too much pressure and too little safety.
“The goal isn’t to gain control it’s to give safety back to the young person and to yourself.”
What Happens in a Crisis (“The Red Zone”)
The red zone is the peak of a crisis.
At this point:
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The young person’s thinking brain is offline
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The nervous system is in survival mode
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Reasoning, consequences and long explanations will not work
This is why traditional approaches often fail.
Too many words, intense eye contact or escalating demands increase threat and prolong the crisis.
SWIFT+R™ is designed for this exact moment.
Its purpose is to reduce threat signals, support co-regulation and bring the nervous system back toward safety without shame, force or abandonment.
The SWIFT+R™ Crisis Model: Step-by-Step
This is the practical, in-the-moment structure staff use during crisis.
It is simple, memorable and carried on a pocket card for real-world use.
S - Safe Stance
Your first intervention is your body.
Adopt a non-threatening, side-on posture.
Keep hands visible and open.
Lower your physical presence where possible (for example, sitting rather than standing over).
This immediately signals safety and reduces perceived threat.
W - Words Few
In crisis, language overloads the brain.
Use short, low-and-slow phrases (3–5 words):
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“You’re safe.”
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“I’m here.”
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“We’ll sort this.”
Avoid explanations, questions or emotional processing at this stage.
I - Immediate Regulation
Do not talk, regulate.
Offer one simple co-regulation option:
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“Water?”
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“Breathe with me.”
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“Walk?"
This gives the nervous system something concrete to engage with other than panic.
F - Focus & Adjust
Watch, don’t force.
Notice breathing, muscle tension, eye contact and movement.
Adjust your distance, volume or presence based on what you observe.
This step ensures staff respond to the young person, not just the script.
T - Time-In, Time-Bound
This is not time-out.
Stay present with a clear, predictable micro-plan:
“I’ll stay with you for three minutes, then we choose.”
Time-in prevents abandonment while time-bound structure reduces overwhelm.
+R — Repair & Reconnect
This step is non-negotiable.
Within 24 hours (or as soon as safe), staff always return to restore dignity and connection:
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“That was tough.”
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“We’re okay.”
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“We start fresh.”
Repair teaches that relationships survive distress and mistakes.
After the Crisis: Reflective Recovery (+R)
SWIFT+R™ does not end when behaviour settles.
The +R creates a structured recovery process:
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A non-blame debrief with staff
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A separate repair conversation with the young person
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Reflection on triggers, responses and learning
This learning feeds directly back into:
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Care planning
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Environmental adjustments
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Future prevention using SPARK
Crisis becomes information, not failure.
Building Staff Confidence Under Pressure
Crisis moments are stressful for staff too.
SWIFT+R™ gives teams a shared plan, which:
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Reduces decision fatigue
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Increases confidence
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Improves consistency across shifts
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Lowers escalation intensity and duration
When staff feel safe and structured, co-regulation becomes possible.
From Crisis to Culture: Reflective Debriefing
The +R (Repair & Reconnect) step applies not only to the young person, but to your team.
Instead of blame-led incident reviews, SWIFT+R™ provides a shared reflective language for debriefing and supervision. Managers can ask:
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Did our response protect their sense of safety?
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Did “Words Few” reduce shame or increase it?
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Was repair completed or avoided?
This turns crisis from a failure into a measurable learning moment, strengthening consistency, confidence and leadership credibility over time.
The SWIFT+R™ ↔ Six Pillars Connection
Each practical SWIFT+R™ step protects the same psychological foundations your team builds every day through SPARK Care™.
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S - Safe Stance
Protects: Safety
A non-threatening posture signals “you are safe” to the survival brain before words are even processed. -
W - Words Few
Protects: Self-Acceptance
Fewer words prevent overload and shame, avoiding the “I am bad” narrative that escalates distress. -
I - Immediate Regulation
Builds: Responsibility
Modelling co-regulation teaches regulation as a skill, not a punishment. -
F - Focus & Adjust
Builds: Voice & Integrity
Responding to body cues shows the young person they are being listened to even without words. -
T - Time-In, Time-Bound
Protects: Belonging
Staying present with structure breaks abandonment cycles common in trauma histories. -
+R - Repair & Reconnect
Builds: Belonging & Integrity
Repair proves that connection survives conflict and that dignity is non-negotiable.
This is how trauma-informed values remain intact when it matters most.
Alignment With Best Practice Expectations
SWIFT+R™ reflects sector-recognised principles by prioritising:
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Low-arousal de-escalation
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Dignity and proportionality
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Relationship repair
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Reflective learning
The model aligns with guidance emphasised across NICE, Ofsted expectations, the Restraint Reduction Network™ and BILD ACT without functioning as a restraint or compliance system.
How SWIFT+R™ Is Delivered
SWIFT+R™ is delivered through the SPARK Care™ Training Platform, alongside SPARK Care™ Foundations.
This ensures that:
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Crisis response is consistent with daily practice
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Staff do not switch models under pressure
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Repair, reflection and learning are embedded, not optional
Access to SWIFT+R™ includes:
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On-demand crisis training modules
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Clear step-by-step guidance for red-zone moments
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Integrated repair and reflective recovery tools
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Alignment with supervision and leadership practice
This platform-led approach prevents fragmented training and supports whole-team consistency across shifts and staff turnover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SWIFT+R™ stand for?
Safe Stance, Words Few, Immediate Regulation, Focus & Adjust, Time-In (Time-Bound) + Repair & Reconnect.
Is SWIFT+R™ a restraint model?
No. It is a de-escalation and co-regulation framework focused on safety, dignity and relational repair.
How does it reduce incidents?
By reducing threat, sensory overload and staff panic leading to fewer, shorter and less intense escalations.
Is repair really necessary after every incident?
Yes. Repair is essential for rebuilding trust, supporting emotional recovery and preventing repeated escalation.
