5 year old handcuffed.
Discussion
This one? www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZxhDAvJ6Ew
She looked perfectly in control when they went to handcuff her. Looks like she had just settled down.
She looked perfectly in control when they went to handcuff her. Looks like she had just settled down.
I wonder what the case would have been if the police turned up and the wee girl was compliant and walked with them but suddenly through another tantrum and injured herself. I would guess the education dept would say that the police didn't do their job and the solicitor would be saying the same thing.
It was very disturbing to see those officers having to take that course of action though.
Officers on my force used an ERB on an 8 year old boy who had become so wound up he was in danger of seriously injuring himself. Minimum force to restrain him was established.
It was very disturbing to see those officers having to take that course of action though.
Officers on my force used an ERB on an 8 year old boy who had become so wound up he was in danger of seriously injuring himself. Minimum force to restrain him was established.
chrispy porker said:
Er, ERB?
Sorry Emergency Restraining Belt.
Its made out of the same material as seat belts about 8 inches broad an wrapped around the knees. Both legs together. No pain involved but once fitted it renders the person totally 110% immobile. If handcuffed as well then they can't lash out with kicks or punches. Ive seen this done many times and also with a spit hood fitted.
Fuuny enough drunk and violent teenagers 13-16 seem to be the ones who get this done to them that I have personally seen.
Try dealing with a very drunk 15 year old male/female (the girls are worse by the way)
I've helped to restrain a tantrumming child before (worked as a volunteer on a project with kids who were deafblind and exhibited very challenging behaviour and could self-harm very severely) but I've never, ever seen a situation where the safest and most effective way to restrain a five year old involved handcuffs. With that sized kid the easiest thing is to get yourself sitting down on the floor with your back against the wall, and the child in front of you - you can control their arms, they can't get you with their legs or bite or spit etc.
becca_viola said:
I've helped to restrain a tantrumming child before (worked as a volunteer on a project with kids who were deafblind and exhibited very challenging behaviour and could self-harm very severely) but I've never, ever seen a situation where the safest and most effective way to restrain a five year old involved handcuffs. With that sized kid the easiest thing is to get yourself sitting down on the floor with your back against the wall, and the child in front of you - you can control their arms, they can't get you with their legs or bite or spit etc.
Yes I agree with this. How long would you sit there for by the way? If an untrained teacher restrains a child could this be an assault? Teachers job on the line?
The doo gooders would slate decent people like you I'm afraid.
gently bentley said:
becca_viola said:
I've helped to restrain a tantrumming child before (worked as a volunteer on a project with kids who were deafblind and exhibited very challenging behaviour and could self-harm very severely) but I've never, ever seen a situation where the safest and most effective way to restrain a five year old involved handcuffs. With that sized kid the easiest thing is to get yourself sitting down on the floor with your back against the wall, and the child in front of you - you can control their arms, they can't get you with their legs or bite or spit etc.
Yes I agree with this. How long would you sit there for by the way? If an untrained teacher restrains a child could this be an assault? Teachers job on the line?
The doo gooders would slate decent people like you I'm afraid.
I'd sit there as long as I needed to. Not often more than ten or twenty minutes for most kids at that age - usually they give up in the end, or you make a decision to take them to a quiet room or soft play area so that the immediate danger of someone getting hurt is removed.
Any establishment handling kids (disabled or not) should have a clear restraint policy detailing the situations under which a child would be restrained, what training the staff have, what the procedures are etc. Individual children who are more likely to need that kind of physical intervention should have it documented in their Behaviour Plan (of some sort), as well - and agreed with parents etc. This should protect adequately against people squealing assault etc - the school system in the UK has been appallingly slow in taking this kind of stuff on board, with consequent assorted disasters where schools have ended up with situations where restraint is needed but are not 'allowed' to use it, children being forced into special school out of fear of a situation where restraint is needed arising (special schools seem to be allowed to do pretty much whatever they like to their kids, since time immemorial)... it's an inclusion issue but also very much a general good practise one.
Looking at the video of that little girl I can see some pretty major mismanagement going on - or at least omitted from the tape.
Should add that my experience was not in a teacher-pupil situation, it was a summer scheme before I had begun 'properly' teaching.
Becca you obviously know your stuff.
I was concerned by the actions of the teachers to tell you the truth. I would have been hands on control straight at the start. There seemed to be alot of open hand fend off retreat stuff going on. What kind of message was that sending out to a child who appears to be confused, angry and getting no instruction or guidance.
Ive got a 3 year old who can kick off like any other 3 year old but I don't stand back and let her trash the place and punch me. I don't get the cuffs out either.
I think from what you are saying you could have resolved this one on your own.
I fear the psycological damage that child will have suffered will be lasting. As a cop of 15 years there is no way I would have done what they did.
I was concerned by the actions of the teachers to tell you the truth. I would have been hands on control straight at the start. There seemed to be alot of open hand fend off retreat stuff going on. What kind of message was that sending out to a child who appears to be confused, angry and getting no instruction or guidance.
Ive got a 3 year old who can kick off like any other 3 year old but I don't stand back and let her trash the place and punch me. I don't get the cuffs out either.
I think from what you are saying you could have resolved this one on your own.
I fear the psycological damage that child will have suffered will be lasting. As a cop of 15 years there is no way I would have done what they did.
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