Creating Safe Schools
Why Positive Handling is a Legal Necessity Across the GCC
Professional, in-person training delivered to your school campus across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.
Enquire Now for In-Person TrainingLet’s be honest: keeping students and staff safe is your number one job. Most of the time, a calm voice and good relationships prevent things from escalating. But every teacher knows there are moments when words alone won’t cut it—when a child is in genuine danger, or putting others at risk.
If you’re running a school anywhere in the GCC region—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, or Oman—you’ve probably already asked yourself: “What happens if a situation gets out of hand? Are my staff legally covered? Do they actually know what to do?”
Here’s the reality: having your team trained in Positive Handling isn’t just smart practice anymore. With KHDA, ADEK, and Ministries of Education across the region watching closely, it’s become a legal and safeguarding necessity. Let’s talk about why.
What is Positive Handling?
Positive handling is the application of “reasonable force” in specific, high-risk circumstances to maintain a safe environment. This is not about punitive restraint; it is a holistic approach to behaviour management that prioritises the dignity of the child and the safety of the educator.
Understanding Behaviour Escalation
Recognising the warning signs before a crisis occurs
The Calm Phase: This is Where the Magic Happens
Think of this as your investment time. When things are calm, you’re building trust, setting clear expectations, and teaching kids how to manage their emotions. You’re getting to know their triggers—what sets them off, what calms them down. This groundwork makes all the difference when things get rocky.
What actually works: Visual schedules (so kids know what’s coming), regular sensory breaks, and rock-solid routines. These simple tools stop problems before they start.
The Trigger Phase: Catch It Early
You know the signs: the fidgeting starts, they go quiet and withdrawn, or you hear that tone creeping into their voice. Their body language changes. If you’ve been trained, you spot these red flags early and step in before things blow up. Offer choices. Change the environment. Lower your voice and slow down.
What actually works: “Space and grace”—back off physically but stay nearby. Don’t crowd them. Let them know you’re there when they’re ready. Sometimes just giving a kid some breathing room is enough.
The Crisis Phase: When You Have No Choice
De-escalation didn’t work. Now someone’s in danger—either the student themselves or others around them. This is the moment positive handling comes in. You’re not trying to “control” anyone. You’re doing the absolute minimum to keep everyone safe, and you’re getting out of there as fast as possible.
Here’s the thing: If your staff aren’t trained, they shouldn’t be doing this. Full stop. Untrained interventions lead to injuries, trauma, and your school ending up in legal hot water.
The Recovery Phase: Everyone Needs a Breather
After something intense goes down, everybody’s rattled—the student, you, other kids who saw it. Don’t rush this bit. Give everyone time to decompress. Then, when things are actually calm, have the conversation. What happened? How did we both feel? What are we going to try differently next time? Write it up properly, learn from it, and move on.
What actually works: Simple debrief questions work best: “What happened?” “How did you feel?” “What can we do differently?” Keep it blame-free and focus on solutions.
Real Classroom Scenarios
Understanding when positive handling becomes necessary
Student Running Towards Traffic
Break time. Your Year 3 student with autism gets overwhelmed by the noise and chaos, and suddenly makes a break for it—straight towards the school gate that opens onto a busy main road. You’ve got maybe three seconds.
Why you need proper training:
Shouting won’t work. You need to physically redirect them to safety, and you need to do it without hurting them or yourself. A trained staff member knows exactly how to use an approved guiding hold that stops a tragedy.
One Student Attacking Another
An argument escalates fast. Before you can blink, one student is on top of another, fists flying. The victim is crying, other kids are screaming, and you’re the only adult in the room. What do you do?
Why you need proper training:
The victim’s safety comes first, always. A trained staff member knows how to safely separate them using an approved protective hold—keeping both students’ dignity intact while stopping the violence.
Self-Harm During a Meltdown
Sensory overload hits hard. The student is in full meltdown, repeatedly banging their head against the wall. You can see they’re going to hurt themselves—badly. Every second counts.
Why you need proper training:
You need to step in now, but you can’t make it worse. A trained staff member uses a supportive hold to protect the student’s head, guide them somewhere safe, and keep their dignity intact the whole time.
Why UAE Schools Must Prioritise This Training
Three critical reasons why professional training is essential
Legal Compliance & Duty of Care
Under GCC education regulations and frameworks from KHDA, ADEK, and national Ministries of Education, schools hold a strict “Duty of Care.” Without certified training, schools may be liable for unprofessional conduct.
Physical Safety & Staff Wellbeing
Crisis behaviour management is physically demanding. Our training equips teachers with safe techniques that prevent injury and burnout.
Protecting Your School’s Reputation
Certified training demonstrates to parents and regulators your commitment to the highest standards of safety.
Certified In-Person Training
We believe that physical skills cannot be learnt through a screen. We provide specialised, in-person training delivered directly at your school campus anywhere across the GCC region.
Level 1
Target Audience
All teaching staff, TAs, and support workers
Focus Areas
- Legalities and frameworks
- De-escalation techniques
- Low-level physical prompts
Level 2
Target Audience
Inclusion teams, SENDCOs, and staff in high-risk settings
Focus Areas
- Advanced interventions
- Risk assessment protocols
- Complex behaviour management