POSITIVE HANDLING TRAINING FOR YOUR SCHOOL

WE HELP SCHOOLS LIKE YOURS, WHO ARE DEALING WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIOURS, TO EFFECTIVELY AND APPROPRIATELY MANAGE DISRUPTIVE, RISKY OR EXTREME SITUATIONS USING APPROPRIATE POSITIVE HANDLING STRATEGIES.

Positive handling training for your school, your children and your ethos.

A highly popular training course to create safe classrooms and safeguard children.

We train your team using a variety of approaches which are designed to help you deal with behaviours of concern, including positive behaviour interventions and where necessary as a last resort, positive handling approaches. We help staff with reassurance and confidence about common questions.

Can we lift and carry a child from one area to another?

Should I ever attempt to restrain a child by myself?

What is good practice if I see two children fighting?

Should I remove a child who is climbing on top of bookcases?

What can we do about children who are 'runners'?

- De-Escalation
- Managing Behaviour
- Duty of Care
- Balancing Risk
- Dept Education Guidance
- Best Practice
- Common Scenarios

- Holding and Protective Strategies


Our training covers a variety of the most common scenarios which staff in school face when they must deal with behaviour or risk, and gives straight answers to frequently asked questions.

Example Course Content for Positive Handling in Primary settings...

Positive handling training enables staff to learn how to use positive handling techniques safely and effectively. Staff learn how to recognize the early warning signs of challenging behavior and use de-escalation strategies to prevent escalation. They also learn how to use positive handling techniques to support children safely without causing harm.

Here is a typical set of topics we cover to meet the learning outcomes for Positive Handling in a Primary School setting:

Behaviour Management and Restraint Reduction
Core Values: Dignity and Respect
Triggers and Cues for Conflict/Distress
Showtime Mindset and Emotional Control
Proxemics
Universal Greeting the Initial Contact
Listening and Empathy
Redirect Abuse and Negative Behaviour
Recognise Vulnerability and use Special Needs Strategies
Appropriate Action and
Closure


Legal and Risk Topics
Identifying Behaviour Phases and Risk
Duty of Care and Decision Making
Principles of Reasonable Force
Risks of Serious Injury in Restraint


Identifying Phases of Behaviour and Risk
These elements can be covered in online pre-course training
The Kaplan Wheeler model: 7 phases of Crisis Behaviour
Baseline Behaviour Phase – Impact of Trauma on this (Context)
Triggering Phase triggers, trauma cues and coping
Escalation Phase overt stress behaviours and Point of No Return
Crisis or Violence Phase actions on: Engage or Disengage
Resolution and Reflective Phases
Effects of Survival Stress and Trauma


Health and Safety and Risk
These elements can be covered in online pre-course training
Section 2 and 3 HSAW Duties of Employer
Section 7 Duty of Employees ‘Reasonable Care’
Need for adequate staffing and availability of trained staff
Vulnerability of being alone in a violent incident
The Need for Suitable and Sufficient Risk Assessment
Planned vs Emergency interventions
Manual Handling rules and good posture to reduce injury risk
If Possible, Contain rather than Restrain
Non-police staff should not engage vs. weapons

Principles of Reasonable Force
These elements can be covered in online pre-course training
Lawful Excuse to Use Force
The Necessity Principle and Criteria
When NEVER to use force
Alternatives to Use of Force
The Proportionality Principle
Range of Viable Options vs Imminent Risk
The Honest Belief Principle
Aftercare when force is used


Awareness of Injury Risk and Sudden Death in Restraint Incidents
These elements can be covered in online pre-course training
Risks to Staff (note: Head/Neck Trauma)
Risks to the Child or Young Person
Sudden Death Proximal to Restraint
Compressional / Positional Asphyxia
High-Risk Restraint Positions to Avoid
Medical Condition Risk Factors
Other Risk Factors (e.g. Time)
Warning Signs
Emergency Actions on Warning Signs


Interventions for Primary and EYFS settings
Managing Space and Moving towards Safety
Safer Approach and Positioning
Prompting and Escorting – Front and Back
Humerus Control Principle and Practice
Clothing Grips for Control Principle and Practice
Cupped Fist Hold
Wrist Hold (single/double)
Standing, Seated and Kneeling variations
Dealing with the child or young person dropping
Dealing with head-butting in holds
Dealing with spitting in holds
Dealing with Kicking behaviours in holds
Safely Removing Holds and Disengaging
Risks when operating Solo vs as a Team

Feedback from Learners About Our Training

We monitor thousands of learner surveys each year to help with our quality assurance processes through the ICM. Here are some of the recent statistics about our courses.

99%

Course Met or Exceeded Expectations

98%

Trainer Was Very Good or Excellent

99%

Training was Relevant and Appropriate

The two key elements of positive handling

POSITIVE HANDLING

KNOWLEDGE and THEORY elements.

Your staff are guided through 12 key decision-making factors which are fundamental to good practice in the area of Positive Handling. This Online Learning component may be particularly helpful for schools who have unnecessarily booked Whole-School training in the past.

… WITH A SCENARIO-LED TRAINING EXPERIENCE…

Our trainer will then lead your staff through the verbal models for conflict communications and the physical Positive Handling tactics they may need at the higher levels of risk in practical sessions where repetition and embedding the skills is our aim.

The Learning Outcomes for our Positive Handling Courses

Your staff will explore and develop an understanding of:

✔ Health and Safety provisions for managing safety in the school workplace (Duty of Care).

✔ Department of Education Guidance on “The use of Reasonable Force with pupils” for Positive Handling

✔ Definitions of Powers from Education & Inspection Act Section 93 for the use of restraint and Positive Handling

✔ Communications De-Escalation Principles for Common Positive Handling Scenarios in Schools.

✔ Practical risk-reduction to protect and safeguard school staff and their pupils during Positive Handling

✔ Importance of Positive Behaviour Support plans and Positive Handling Plans for pupils

✔ The risks inherent in Restraint/Positive Handling interventions and how to reduce or avoid them.

✔ Positive Handling Control, Escort and Restraint methods for Non-Harmful Control of Children and Young People

  • One full day 6hrs

  • short format 3hrs

  • 60' Briefing

  • 'Your way'

One Full Day:   9.30am to 3.30pm on a day when you can release your team…

This option gives your staff the most practice time and question/answer time with the trainers. Assimilation of the material and retention of the physical skills is optimal with this duration. Schools will usually choose this option if they have a well-identified need for training in physical interventions with particular high-risk children. For dedicated SEN, Learning Disability or EBD settings we also have a 2-day option which is recommended for higher-risk care environments.

Features of our positive handling approach:

  1. 1
    Values-Driven. Our aim is that every person in your school is treated with dignity and shown respect, even when things get difficult.
  2. 2
    Evidence-Based. Through collaborations with sector specialists, we design and deliver research-informed training which transfers effectively to your classrooms and corridors.
  3. 3
    Legally and Medically Audited. We have continually updated our advice and content with input from medical, legal and education specialists.
  4. 4
    Quality Assured. Our training is accredited by the Institute of Conflict Management (ICM) and we hold Quality Award Centre status (#2201) with regular audits and trainer CPD.

HI! I'M GERARD O'DEA

Director Of Training At Dynamis

Hi and thanks for visiting our website today.

In over 15 years of working with frontline staff who face difficult, distressed and dangerous behaviour, i have seen time and again how prepared staff can perform well and respond to challenging circumstances.

From teachers to nurses, teaching and care assistants to security officers in our hospitals and social workers in the community, if you deal with people every day, managing conflict becomes a necessity.

I became involved in this work because i saw the power of training and preparation in helping people to stay safe at work and to be more successful in working with their colleagues to create better outcomes.

I and my team of professional trainers now teach in over 200 training engagements every year around the uk and internationally for a wide variety of public-facing organizations just like yours.

We have sought out the best conflict management training content and the best learning methods in the world and bring them together for you and your team.

How is Dynamis Positive Handling training different?

By focussing on Learning through direct practice in scenario-based training, with smart feedback from our highly trained instructors, your team will be better prepared.

Uniquely flexible to your needs

With no less than 5 different formats for each course we deliver, we work hard to fit into your schedule, your budget and your work - your partner in behaviour management and positive handling.

Dedicated to authentic learning

Through our collaboration with Loughborough University faculty, we design and deliver training which has the highest degree of transfer to your working environment.

Trauma-informed and responsive

Through our partnership with NAOTP we are committed to being trauma-aware as a team and our problem-solving approach recognises 'all behaviour has meaning'.

Scenario-Driven Practice

Your staff need skills and knowledge which will help you with YOUR specific children and behaviours, so our approach is focused on solving YOUR positive handling issues. See SCENA for more information.

Join Over 4,000 Happy school clients

What our customers are saying:

put the training into practice immediately

“Training is often VERY detailed and complex; what made the Dynamis training different – and better! – was that it was simple and clear. There wasn’t too much to remember and it was all taught and set within a framework of common sense and the practical day-to-day activities and situations that arise in a school. The pre-course information around the legislation underpinning positive handling also gave me the confidence to know I am legally and professionally in a position to use positive handling without an excessive risk of negative repercussions. I was able to put the training into practice immediately and, several weeks later, can still use the training without looking back at the materials. THANK YOU. “

HEAD TEACHER // Smallthorne Primary School

simple, straightforward...

“Everything was simple, straightforward and made a lot of sense. Glad I don’t have to remember about 20 holds like you do on other courses”

EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER // Tickford Park

not as complicated as others...

“Practical and the techniques were not as complicated as other similar courses that I have attended.”

DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER // North London

Try our FREE sample of online learning

With over 15 years of experience working with clients, we are confident that we can gain an understanding of your issues, resources, timeframes and budget quickly and soon propose a training plan which fits your needs.

Secondary School feedback

Fulfilled Expectations...

“Flexible focus on what we required. Excellent Trainer. Fulfilled Expectations at about the right duration.”

assistant principal // Moat community college

really impressed with the style and techniques...

“Course was tailored to our school needs really well, Gerard had done his homework on our school and I was really impressed with the style and techniques that were shown. Good pace and Gerard is very good at keeping to task.”

head of year  //  The Centre School

a dynamic approach...

“It would benefit all student facing staff. Very helpful and useful information, and very dynamic approach.”

Head of Studies  //  Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth 1 College

World-class client feedback

Our client and learner satisfaction surveys have consistently been extrmely positive, even as we have grown to be an ever-more popular provider of Positive Handling and De-Escalation training.  Watch the video to learn about our most recent results!

Our Partners and Accreditation

MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Dynamis is a Quality Award Centre with the ICM, a recognised accrediting body in the U.K. for workplace training in the prevention and management of workplace violence.

Healthcare Myth 2: If I Say Something It Will Make Things Worse 2

EUROPEAN PARTNER FOR

VISTELAR

Dynamis is the premier European Partner for Vistelar, a global consulting organisation covering training across the entire spectrum of human conflict.

A 5-star endorsed programme

Our programme is endorsed by the SWC Expert Panel with 5-stars - 'Safety Without Compromise'.

read our blog

This months we trained approximately 150 staff in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai institutions in our approach to Positive Handling which was

Read More

How many school staff to train in positive handling? The Gravy Train positive handling courses for the masses? Many schools have for

Read More

Schools have significant responsibilities where they are called on to physically manage high-risk or seriously disruptive behaviours.   In addition to a properly

Read More