'Good restrictive intervention trainers have the potential to change practice, win hearts and minds and have an important role in supporting a system wide approach to the reduction of the use of unnecessary restrictive practices. They have a range of skills and are confident in their knowledge of all the training content, how it fits within the human rights framework, and best practice for the sector and population they are training in. They are able to assess competency, encourage potential, and appropriately challenge unhelpful attitudes.'
Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) Training Standards 2019 Pg 85
School Positive Handling are a family based company who are passionate in providing an outstanding level of client care, not just for the duration of training courses but whenever you need advice or support. We provide training to help understand challenging behaviour and enhance de-escalation skills, through applying cutting edge neuroscience research and trauma informed practice.
Mandy Reather is a Lead Educational Consultant of School Positive Handling.
Mandy has over twenty five years experience in education, including Headship level. She has worked in a range of schools mainly those serving areas of significant social deprivation. Mandy has a wealth of knowledge and skills in supporting pupils with complex behaviour issues and successfully coaches staff into confidently using preventative and de-escalation strategies to reduce aggression and anger in the classroom, based on trauma informed practice and understanding the biology underneath the behaviour.
She is passionate in her belief that it is a privilege to support and nurture children and young people, but is realistic in her understanding that this is an extremely challenging job for school practitioners. Mandy recognises and empathises with the pressures put on school staff to ensure a high quality of behaviour from all pupils and the pressure that disruptive behaviour creates. Her strategies for dealing with challenging behaviour have been recognised as being ‘relevant,’ ‘highly effective’ and ‘inspiring.’
Mandy is a fully qualified Advanced Physical Skills Instructor, Advanced Safeguarding Instructor and has qualifications in Conflict Management and Breakaway & Disengagement. She is a Risk Assessment specialist and ensures full compliance with DfE Guidance.
Mark Reather is a Lead Educational Consultant of School Positive Handling.
Mark has worked in children’s services for over ten years working with children with varying emotional and mental health issues and learning disabilities. Mark is a qualified Child Trauma and Mental Health Practitioner under the guidance of Dr Margot Sunderland at The Institute of Arts, Therapy and Education and the University of East London.
Mark works tirelessly in reducing restrictive practices and improving outcomes in child and young adult services where behaviour challenges. Marks specialises in Neurophysiology, Trauma Informed Practice, Mental Health, de-escalation strategies and relational interventions with troubled children.
Fundamentally, Mark’s ethos is to help all organisations and those that care for children to have an increased focus on reducing the reliance on restrictive practices, promoting positive culture and practice that focuses on prevention, the root causes of behaviour, de-escalation and Positive Behaviour Support.
Mark has delivered training and consultancy to educational settings in Mainstream, Special Schools, Alternative Provision, Children’s Homes, SEND Parenting Groups and Brain Rehabilitation Charities.
React UK and School Positive Handling are delighted to be have the academic support from Professor Brendon Stubbs, to ensure our training is medically assessed by one of the UK's leading clinical experts.
React UK Training have received the backing of Prof Brendan Stubbs BSc (Hons), MSc, MCSP, PhD, due to (in his words) "The vision and philosophy of React UK Training in relation to not only reducing the need for physical restraint, but also teaching restraint techniques that reduce the risks to children and staff from injury."
Prof Stubbs has undertaken significant research in child restraint, and holds a PhD in Biomechanics and
movement of the body. Prof Stubbs is a Clinical Lecturer, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology/Neuroscience, Expert Witness, Medicolegal work for the courts (including the high court) and head of
Physiotherapy for South London, Maudsley NHS Trust Department.
Mark and Mandy support colleagues to understand further the higher elevated risks associated with impact
factors and positional asphyxia. All React UK and School Positive Handling Training courses are delivered in relation to the scientific findings from Dr John Parkes and Coventry
University.
React UK are very blessed to have an excellent set of instructors who support the React UK/ School
Positive Handling vision and values, providing high quality training across the UK.
Mark & Mandy are extremely passionate in not only understanding challenging behaviour, but also working with other professionals to reduce the need for restrictive physical interventions. This is not only the forefront of Mark & Mandy’s thinking, but forms the ethos and mantra of React UK and School Positive Handling… ‘A Safer Way for Everyone.'
In their spare time, Mark and Mandy enjoy spending time with their son George and lively dachshund Frank! They enjoy travelling, spending time outdoors and enjoying life.
Contact us today, with no obligation, to discuss your school's staff training needs.
Telephone: 01924 891080 or 07581562669
Email: schoolpositivehandling@gmail.com
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