What the 2010 DCSF use of force guidance said — advice for schools
The 2010 DCSF guidance, The use of force to control or restrain pupils: Guidance for schools in England, was a detailed predecessor to later Department for Education advice on reasonable force. It is now historical, and schools should check the current GOV.UK guidance on reasonable force before relying on it operationally. However, it remains useful […]
What the 2002 restrictive physical interventions guidance said — advice for schools
This post is about restrictive physical interventions guidance. The 2002 joint guidance, Guidance on Restrictive Physical Interventions for People with Learning Disability and Autistic Spectrum Disorder, in Health, Education and Social Care Settings, was an important early statement of government expectations around positive handling and restrictive physical intervention. Although written for a mixed audience across […]
What the 2019 restraint reduction guidance said — advice for schools
This post is about restraint reduction guidance. The 2019 government guidance, Reducing the Need for Restraint and Restrictive Intervention, is one of the most important modern documents for schools and services supporting children and young people with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and mental health difficulties. Its purpose is not simply to clarify when restraint […]
What the DfE reasonable force guidance said — advice for schools
This post is about use of reasonable force in schools. The Department for Education’s Use of reasonable force: advice for headteachers, staff and governing bodies is a concise but influential document explaining the legal power school staff have to use reasonable force in England. Although the GOV.UK page now notes that replacement guidance comes into […]
Restraint Reduction Training for Schools — Reduce Physical Interventions | Positive Handling
Restraint Reduction Training for Schools: How to Reduce Physical Interventions Restraint reduction in schools is not about telling staff to do nothing. That message is unfair and unsafe. School staff have a duty to keep pupils and others safe. There will be rare moments where physical intervention is necessary to prevent harm. A pupil may […]
Feedback from Secondary Senior Leadership Team SLT
This post is about feedback from secondary senior. Director of Training Gerard O’Dea recently delivered a series of sessions at a very large secondary school in Kent for over 160 staff in total. The comments below are from the senior leadership team who attended and reflect the customised information, specific to the needs and issues […]
Relevant to Early Years Practice – Positive Handling feedback from Nursery School Manager
I felt this was relevant to Early years Practice with a clear focus on de escalation as core purpose with physical intervention being a last resort. Thanks to Gerard for making the training very bespoke to our school needs. Extremely likely to recommend to colleagues in the sector. — Nursery School Manager, Birmingham, July […]
Supported to do the techniques correctly – Feedback
I really appreciated the fact that during the training I was supported to do the techniques correctly – it was ok to ask questions and corrected when I wasn’t. The way we were guided through steps to make sure we were always following the law was excellent. Reception Teacher – Leeds – 2018 This guide […]
Course Feedback: a very professional experience
This post is about positive handling. “Thought it was really interesting, with very simple, quick and easy techniques which can be used at work. They are easy to remember too! It was a very professional experience and I learnt a lot from it. The theory side helped me understand more about regulations and what is […]
Managing Behaviour may include Positive Handling
The physical side of managing behaviour This post is about managing behaviour may include. Managing behaviour in schools ideally means using professional and persuasive verbalisation skills but must also include the physical alternatives where words alone fail. We treat every child with dignity and show them respect but sometimes words alone are not enough […]