Restraint Policy
At Manor Lodge Community Primary School we have developed a behaviour policy that sets out the strategies we use to promote good behaviour and deal with unacceptable behaviour. While this policy offers guidance to deal with the vast majority of incidents, there are occasionally times when pupils may need to be restrained to ensure their own or others' safety. This policy sets out the guidance for restraint to ensure it is used only when necessary, and follows the guidance issued by the local authority, which is appended at the end. Back to top
Circumstances Justifying Physical Restraint
The use of physical restraint should be seen as a last resort and should only be used to prevent a child from:- Harming him/ herself
- Harming others
- Serious damage to property
- Committing a criminal offence
- Engaging in any behaviour prejudicial to maintaining good order and discipline
All members of staff in school should be familiar with the Sheffield City Council guidance on what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behaviour towards children. (see Appendix)
Teachers may use restraint under the circumstances listed above, as a last resort. A list of other named staff members trained and authorised to use restraint is attached to this policy.
Before intervening, members of staff should:
- Consider whether restraint is necessary
- Summon additional support, if at all possible, in order to provide a witness and reduce physical risk to both parties
While intervening members of staff must:
- Employ minimum force for the minimum period necessary
- Keep communicating with the child, e.g. "when you are calm I can let go."
- Avoid threatening or committing any act of punitive violence
- Keep his/her temper under control
- Have regard for others in the vicinity
After intervening the member of staff must:
- Follow the school 's accident/injury procedure if necessary
- Report the incident requiring restraint to a senior member of staff
- Record the incident on the form provided for this purpose Back to top
Role of the Headteacher
- To provide appropriate support to the children and staff concerned- To consider the needs of others who observed the incident
- Notify parents/carers and organise appropriate follow-up
- Review the incident in light of procedures and act on conclusions if necessary
- Follow complaint and disciplinary procedures if necessary
- Ensure there are members of staff appropriately trained in restraint methods
- Keep a list of these members of staff Back to top
Role of the Governing Body
- To review this policy regularly along with the headteacher- To ensure procedures for monitoring incidents requiring restraint are in place
- To ensure procedures are followed in the event of complaints Back to top