Policies
Positive Handling
Through the school’s behaviour policy and code of conduct children are clear about what is and what is not acceptable behaviour and the rewards and sanctions that will be applied in different situations. The context of a well ordered and calm environment will mitigate against restraint being necessary. However, if restrain is used governors, staff, pupils, parents and carers need to be clear about who, how and when it should be applied.
Physical restraint is the positive application of force with the intention of protecting the child from seriously harming himself or others or damaging property.
Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 introduces, for the first time, a statutory power for teachers and certain other school staff to discipline pupils. This is further defined in the DES guidance ‘Use of reasonable force’. Advice for headteachers, staff and Governing Bodies. July 2013.
All school staff have the power to use reasonable force to prevent pupils committing an offence, injuring themselves or others, or damaging property, and to maintain good order and discipline in the classroom.
We acknowledge our legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled children and children with SEN.
Before physical restraint is applied all strategies of behaviour modification and diffusion should be attempted. It should be applied as an act of care and control with the intention of re-establishing verbal control as soon as possible and, at the same time, allowing the pupil to regain self-control.
Only minimum and proportional force should be applied. If restraint does have to be used on a child it will be viewed by the school as serious and all necessary steps will be taken to try to prevent the situation happening again. Parents will always be informed and involved.
To read the full policy, download the PDF