DfE plans update to school restraint guidance

The government will update its guidance for schools on the physical restraint of pupils and other “reasonable force” for the first time in a decade, according to a new consultation on the issue.

It comes after an inquiry by the human rights watchdog found “inconsistency and uncertainty” over what schools should include in their restraint policies, and found a “significant proportion” wanted “better and more specific guidance”.

Under the law, school staff have the power to use reasonable force, but only to prevent pupils hurting themselves and others, from damaging property or causing disorder.

But non-statutory guidance has not been updated in almost 10 years, and schools’ use of the power to restrain children has been questioned in several recent high-profile cases.

In a call for evidence launched today, the Department for Education said it supported school staff to use reasonable force “when it is safe, lawful and absolutely necessary”.

But government also “recognises that the misuse of reasonable force or restrictive practices can have a significant and long-lasting effect on the pupils, staff members and parents involved, as well as the wider classroom”.

This in turn can “potentially hinder the creation of a calm, safe and supportive school environment”.

Ministers are “therefore committed to minimising the use of reasonable force, including restraint and other restrictive practices in all schools in England, including special schools and alternative provision”.

Guidance has not been updated in a decade

Its work programme will include updating the government’s “use of reasonable force” guidance, which was issued in 2013.

It is non-statutory guidance that advises staff on “how to minimise the use of restraint and in instances where it is absolutely necessary and lawful to use reasonable force or restrictive practices, to do so as safely as possible”.

The call for evidence will focus on how use of reasonable force affects pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, and how school leaders and staff minimise the need to use force while ensuring a safe environment.

It will also look at how leaders and staff ensure that when force is used, it is used “safely and effectively”, and how schools record incidents and report and use the data.

The consultation will also explore how schools support pupils, parents and staff affected by the use of reasonable force, and how schools meet their duties under human rights, equalities and children and families law.

Watchdog inquiry found schools wanted guidance

It comes after an inquiry by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission found in 2021 there was “inconsistency and uncertainty about what should be included in school policies governing the use of restraint”.

Schools’ recording practices were “not consistent and they need a better understanding of what constitutes restraint, and what they should record”.

The inquiry also found a “significant proportion of schools want better and more specific guidance”.

“They do not consider these matters to be ‘red tape’ or overly burdensome.”

The EHRC recommended mandatory recording and nationally agreed definitions of different types of restraint, as well as requiring schools to publish a policy and analyse use of restraint.

It also called for national training standards and for Ofsted to monitor data.

The DfE said it remained committed to “mandating recording and reporting of incidents of restraint to parents”.

The department will also “consider developing and delivering additional targeted policy interventions following the evidence gathering phase of this programme of work”.