When it comes to restrictive intervention,Ìýit’sÌýessential that teachers and school staff understand what qualifies as reasonable force and what they should consider beforeÌýresorting to restrictiveÌýphysical interventionÌýin schools.Ìý

What is reasonable force?Ìý

Force is usedÌýin schoolsÌýto restrain students.ÌýReasonable force means using no more force than the situationÌýrequiresÌýand ensuringÌýanyÌýforce used is proportionate toÌýwhat it aims to prevent.Ìý

Force is often used as part of a restrictive intervention, which is where a student’s movement is prevented or restricted. As well as a physical restrictive intervention, this can also be non-physical such as standing between two students who have been fighting.Ìý

ReasonableÌýforce and restrictive interventionsÌýcan be usedÌýto prevent students hurting themselves or others, or damage to property.Ìý

In the classroom or around a school, this might look like:Ìý

• Removing a student from the classroom if they have ignored verbal instructions to leave by themselvesÌý

• Preventing a student from hurting a member of staff or another studentÌý

• Intervening in a fight between studentsÌý

Who can use physical intervention?Ìý

All members of school staff have legal power to use reasonable force.Ìý

This can also apply to anyone temporarily in charge of students’ safety, such as volunteers helping on a school trip.Ìý

What to considerÌýbefore a physical interventionÌý

Many of those who work in schools may have to use reasonable force at some point. But before a physical intervention,Ìýit’sÌýimportant to consider whether:

Force is necessary:Ìý

• Are there any other ways to manage the situation?Ìý

• Will using force help, or could the use of force escalate the situation?Ìý

Force isÌýproportionate:Ìý

• Staff should be sure they are using the least amount of force possibleÌý

• If physical intervention does escalate the situation,Ìýconsider other ways the behaviour could be handledÌý

• Consider the specific student’s situationÌýandÌýif they are vulnerable in any way e.g. have any medical conditionsÌý

• Force should be proportionate to a student’sÌýsizeÌýandÌýageÌý

It’sÌýalso key to consider potentialÌýimpactsÌýonÌýtheÌýstudent’s welfare.ÌýIfÌýa student has past experiences of traumaÌýor neglect,ÌýorÌýhas difficulties withÌýcommunication,Ìýuse of force and restrictive interventions can be disproportionately upsetting and difficult for them.Ìý

In any situation where force isÌýused, staff shouldÌýclearlyÌýcommunicate to ensure the student knowsÌýwhat theyÌýare going to do and why.Ìý

Where reasonable forceÌýcan’tÌýbe usedÌý

Force of any kind can never be used as a punishment – this is against the law.Ìý

Reasonable force and students with SENDÌý

Students who haveÌýspecial educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or social,Ìýemotional and mental health needsÌýoftenÌýrespond differently to confusing or upsetting situations, such as being overwhelmed or in an unfamiliar situation.Ìý

Some students may respond to distress with actions instead of words – and this means students with SEND are disproportionately likely to be subject to physical interventions.Ìý

As such,Ìýit’sÌýkey for schools and class teachers to develop strategies that can de-escalate without the use of force. ItÌýis easier to provide support once you understand what is triggering the student’s distress.Ìý

Recording and reporting incidentsÌý

It is a legal duty for schools to reportÌýincidentsÌýto the parent or carer of the student involvedÌý– and the parent or carerÌýneedsÌýto be made aware of the incidentÌýon theÌýsame dayÌýit occurred.ÌýThis should be includedÌýinÌýyour school’s policy on use of force and restrictive interventions.Ìý

There are some cases where reporting an incident could cause harm to a student. In situations where there is no one toÌýreport an incident to that would not risk serious harm, then the incident should be reported to the student’s local authority rather than a parent or carer.Ìý

Keep students safe with confidenceÌý

It'sÌýkeyÌýfor school staff to understand restrictive physical interventions and reasonable force at school, and how they can be used to keep students safe.Ìý

Training on the use ofÌýforce andÌýrestrictive interventionsÌýis essential to help staff judge when it isÌýappropriate toÌýuse restrictive interventions. Situations can escalate quickly and staff often need to make a choice inÌýa very short amount of time.Ìý

Our course, ‘’ explores:Ìý

• Definitions of reasonable force, restrictiveÌýinterventionÌýand seclusionÌý

• Who can use force and unacceptable types of forceÌý

• Considerations for students with special educational needs or disabilitiesÌý

• Legal requirements for reporting and recording incidents where force is usedÌý

Take the course to safeguard students at your school with more confidence.Ìý

Ìý