This post is part of our ongoing work helping schools and academies navigate conflict management and personal safety. I received a question recently about whether it would be okay for a team of staff to lift a child by the legs and arms and carry them out of a classroom under restraint. I tried my best to be brief in my advice in this video!
Can a team of staff lift a child by the legs and arms and carry them out of a classroom under restraint? The answer requires careful legal and safety analysis.
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💡 Key takeaway: Lifting and carrying a child during restraint is a manual handling operation with serious legal obligations. Before any team adopts such a procedure, they need a competent risk assessment, medical review, and documented staff training. Shortcuts here can lead to criminal liability.
Related Reading
- Is it Safe to Lift or Carry a Child during Positive Handling Interventions?
- VIDEO: Positive Handling in Schools
- Headteacher in Court on Assault Charge
This guide on conflict management and personal safety is part of our ongoing work with schools and academies.
