Free Masterclass , Tuesday 24 November 2026
Each year, police, paramedics, emergency staff and volunteers are called on to support people living with dementia at some of their most distressing moments – a wandering incident, a critical behavioural escalation, or a transfer of care. The right approach in the first few minutes can make all the difference to the person’s safety and dignity, and to yours.
Dementia Training Australia (DTA) is inviting you to attend a pilot of our new face-to-face masterclass for first responders – a practical, train-the-trainer session for anyone with an interest in building dementia capability within their organisation, whether that’s part of your formal role or something you’ve taken on informally as a workplace champion.
Feedback from our 2025 national consultation was clear, people in first responder roles need practical strategies they can put into action. This masterclass was built in direct response to that gap. Your participation in this pilot masterclass will directly shape refinements before its national rollout.
During the masterclass you’ll work through:
- The MESSAGE communication framework and the ABCDE approach to behaviour support
- Recognising the arousal/escalation cycle and responding safely to a critical incident
- A practical, scenario-based case study to apply what you’ve learned; and
- How to use DTA supporting resources to confidently deliver this content within your own organisation.
At the end of the session, you’ll take home a bundle of useful resources, including a printed facilitator guide, workbooks, fact sheets, posters, and communication tips lanyard cards.
Event details
- Cost: Free
- Date: Tuesday 24 November 2026
- Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm (morning tea included)
- Location: Seminar Room 2, Bentley Technology Park
- Venue: Bentley Technology Park.
Reserve your place
Places are limited — please RSVP by Tuesday 3 November to Rachael.morcombe@uwa.edu.au, noting any dietary or accessibility requirements.
We’d be delighted to have you there. Please share with your respective colleagues and networks as you feel appropriate.
Before you attend
Please complete DTA’s free online course, Dementia Training for First Responders, prior to the session. It takes around 1 hour, is self-paced, and provides CPD points plus a certificate of completion: https://dta.com.au/courses/dementia-training-for-first-responders
This gives everyone a shared foundation, so we can use our time together to focus on applying the concepts.