“Excellent training program for Positive Handling” for Boarding
A senior housemistress at an East Sussex boarding school arrived unenthusiastic, then found the course far more in depth and useful than expected, calling Gerard a first class, highly professional trainer.
“Completely appropriate…safe techniques and tactics” for Positive Handling
A class teacher in Felixstowe describes the course as informative, with content suited to scenarios that could arise in school, and values practising safe techniques and learning what signals to watch for.
Positive Handling Feedback: “more confident and empowered – fantastic”
An inclusion leader at Holy Cross Primary reports that staff left feeling more confident and empowered, able to use positive handling safely, and praises Pauline for making the training personal to their setting.
Positive Handling Feedback: “enabled all of us to learn and to do the techniques if necessary
Zeb was well qualified and thorough, a teacher from St Johns Primary said, clear about staff responsibilities, and his demonstrations enabled everyone to learn the techniques and deliver them if necessary.
How many school staff to train in positive handling?
Whole school training is not always the right answer. Schools should identify the staff who are most likely to need to restrain a child, such as the SENCo, behaviour leads, teachers and teaching assistants.
The Six Positive Handling Scenarios in Schools
Six situations that can call for force or positive handling in schools are introduced by Gerard O’Dea, who discusses the common scenarios staff may meet.
Positive Handling 2-minute Introduction video
A two-minute video introduction to positive handling, with related reading on feedback from a special school, feedback from early years staff, and why schools need the training.
Positive Handling Feedback: “of a high standard and delivered brilliantly”
A class teacher from Aylesford Primary School describes a day of theory and practice that balanced getting to know everyone. Asking about their own setting and children was valuable, as were the website resources.
4 in 10 Teachers attacked by Pupils
An ATL survey found four in ten teachers had faced violence from pupils in a year, with pushing, kicking and thrown objects common. Schools, it argues, need support from other services.
Sacked School Worker Wins £70,000 Compensation From Tribunal
A former head of care was dismissed for taking a teenager by the arm at a school for children with behavioural difficulties. A tribunal found no wrongdoing and awarded him £70,950.