Including 'positive handling strategies' within training in behaviour management: the 'Team-Teach' approach

This article reports on aspects of an evaluation of ‘Team-Teach’ - a ‘whole setting holistic’ approach to behaviour management in a range of child-care environments. A distinctive feature of Team-Teach is that it includes both training in de-escalation skills and physical interventions, known as ‘positive handling strategies’. The approach is clearly structured and calibrated against level of risk. It includes accreditation and re-accreditation of trainers. Findings from four case study educational institutions show enhanced knowledge and confidence in important aspects: staff and pupil safety, the legal framework, dealing with situations such as fights and preparedness to respond to a physical challenge. ‘Positive handling strategies’ caused most anxiety for staff in mainstream schools, partly due to their infrequent use. This finding raises questions about the training needs of staff in mainstream schools and the extent to which they can be expected to respond appropriately in the relatively rare critical incidents that necessitate physical intervention.