Physical intervention in schools: draft guidance

A physical act carried out with the purpose of influencing, modifying or preventing the actions of a child or young person.

Physical intervention includes direct physical contact and actions affecting the movement of a child or young person.

Physical intervention that does not involve restraint or withdrawal does not need to be recorded or reported.

Physical intervention that involves restraint must always be recorded and its use reported, as outlined below.

An act carried out with the purpose of restricting a child or young person's movement, liberty and/or freedom to act independently.

The different forms of restraint appear below.

Recorded by school within 2 working days.

Reported by school to parents/carers as soon as possible during the school day and exceptionally within 24 hours of restraint being used.

Reported by school to Education Authority, managers of grant-aided school or the proprietor of the independent school within 2 working days.

Post incident support and learning review: yes

The use of direct physical force to restrict freedom of movement.

As per restraint recording and reporting.

The use of equipment to restrict freedom of movement.

The use of equipment with a restrictive element does not need to be recorded or reported if its use was in line with agreed plan.

Any use outwith the agreed plan should be recorded and reported in line with other restraints.

Post incident support and learning review: where outwith agreed plan, on the same basis as other restraints.

An act carried out with the purpose of isolating a child or young person, away from other children and young people, in an area from which they are prevented from leaving.

As per restraint recording and reporting.

Leading a child or young person away from a situation which they are finding challenging to a place where they have a better chance of regulating their emotions and behaviour.

If used without the child or young person's consent, staff-led withdrawal should be recorded and reported in line with other restraints.

If consent is given, its use should be recorded in the child's plan. Onward reporting not a requirement

Post incident support and learning review: yes

Where a child or young person temporarily moves away, at their request, from a situation which they are finding challenging to a place where they have a better chance of regulating their emotions and behaviour

The use of pupil-led withdrawal should be recorded and the child's plan updated as appropriate. Onward reporting not a requirement.

Post incident support and learning review: on a needs basis.