“It Makes Good Sense”: Creating Safer Schools Through Positive Handling, RRN Training and Trauma-Informed Care

In today’s education settings, ensuring the safety of both staff and pupils is more critical than ever. Rising concerns around behavioural incidents, emotional dysregulation, and unmet needs highlight the importance of equipping school teams with the right tools to respond effectively and compassionately. At GoodSense Training, we believe that positive handling, when delivered through the lens of trauma-informed care and aligned with Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) standards, is vital to maintaining safe, respectful, and inclusive school environments.

Why Positive Handling Training Matters

Positive handling is not about control — it’s about care. Done correctly, it focuses on de-escalation, early intervention, and dignity-led responses to behaviour that challenges. It’s about preventing incidents before they escalate, recognising the signs of distress, and only using physical interventions as a last resort and in the safest, least restrictive way possible.

When underpinned by RRN-approved training and trauma-informed approaches, schools can be confident that their staff are not only compliant with best practice guidance, but are also better equipped to support the emotional and psychological needs of their pupils.

What is Trauma-Informed Care in Schools?

Children bring a wide range of life experiences into the classroom. Some of these experiences — including neglect, abuse, or witnessing violence — can lead to heightened stress responses and behaviour that communicates distress. A trauma-informed approach means understanding the ‘why’ behind a child’s behaviour, responding with empathy, and creating predictable, emotionally safe environments.

When we combine this approach with RRN-compliant training, we promote a culture that doesn’t just manage incidents, but actively reduces the need for physical intervention through preventative strategies.

Top 5 Positive Handling Tips for Teachers

1. Know the Triggers
   Understand what situations might cause a child to become distressed. Prevention starts with observation and connection.
2. Respond, Don’t React
   Stay calm, use a low and slow tone, and create space for de-escalation. Your body language and voice are powerful tools.
3. Use Positive Language
   Give clear, respectful instructions and avoid negative phrasing that may escalate the situation (e.g. say “Let’s walk together” instead of “Don’t run!”).
4. Understand Your Legal Duties
   Make sure you’re aware of when physical intervention is lawful — it must always be reasonable, proportionate, and necessary.
5. Work as a Team
   Ensure consistent approaches across the staff team. Debrief after incidents and share what works — collaboration is key.

How GoodSense Can Help

At GoodSense, we provide bespoke Positive Handling training tailored for mainstream and specialist school settings. Our programmes:

• Are fully aligned with Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) standards
• Embed trauma-informed practice throughout
• Help staff understand behaviour as communication
• Support schools in developing safe, respectful and legally defensible policies

Whether you’re looking for an introductory session, core training for your whole team, or refresher courses, we’ve got you covered. Training can be delivered on-site, nationwide, and we’re proud to work with both SEN and mainstream schools to reduce risk and promote wellbeing.

Ready to Build a Safer, More Supportive School?

Let’s talk about how we can support your team to feel confident, consistent, and calm when it matters most.

📩 Contact us today at info@good-sense.co.uk or contact us through the website.
📅 Book a free consultation to discuss your school’s needs
🔗 Learn more about our school training programmes

Because every child deserves to feel safe. And every teacher deserves to feel prepared.