Restraining Pupils and the
Use of Reasonable Force Policy
There has been a change to the previous policy reviewed September 2014
Approved by Pupil Welfare Committee:
25 September 2014
Signed by Chair of Committee:
S McMillan
Ratified by the Full Board of Governors on: 8 October 2014
Signed Chair of Governors:
C Turner
Review Date:
Within 4 Years of above date
Restraining Pupils and
the Use of Reasonable Force Policy
Staff should be mindful that effective management of individual situations usually
results in resolution before there is any need to use force to control or restrain
pupils. A calm and measured approach to a situation is needed and staff should never
give the impression that they have lost their temper or are acting out of anger or frustration
when handling a problem.
THE USE OF REASONABLE FORCE TO CONTROL OR RESTRAIN PUPILS
In accordance to Section 93 of Education and Inspections Act 2006, subsection(1),
members of staff may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances for the
purpose of preventing a pupil from doing (or continuing to do) any of the
following, namely –



Committing any offence
Causing personal injury to, or damage to the property of, any
person(including the pupil himself) or
Prejudicing the maintenance of good order and discipline at the school or
among any pupils receiving education at the school, whether during a
teaching session or otherwise.
WHAT IS REASONABLE FORCE?
Based on this legal framework, the working definition of ‘reasonable
force’ is the minimum force necessary to prevent a pupil from physically
harming him/herself or others or seriously damaging property, but used in
a manner which attempts to preserve the dignity of all concerned. The
use of reasonable force will always depend on the circumstances of the
case and staff should take the following into consideration:
■ whether it is reasonable to use force, and the degree of force
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that could reasonably be employed, given the age, sex,
physical strength, size, understanding, medical conditions and
any special educational needs of the pupil;
■ the use of force can be regarded as reasonable only if the
circumstances of the particular incident warrant it. The use of
any degree of force is unlawful if the particular circumstances
do not warrant the use of physical force. Therefore physical
force could not be justified to prevent a pupil from committing
a trivial misdemeanour, or in a situation that clearly could be
resolved without force; and
■ the degree of force employed should be in proportion to the
circumstances of the incident and the seriousness of the
behaviour or the consequences it is intended to prevent. Any
force used should always be the minimum needed to defuse the situation.
WHEN CAN REASONABLE FORCE BE USED?
In a school, force is used for two main purposes – to control pupils or to
restrain them.
 The decision on whether or not to physically intervene is down to the
professional judgement of the staff member concerned and should
always depend on the individual circumstances.
 The following list is not exhaustive but provides some examples of situations
where reasonable force can and cannot be used.

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Schools can use reasonable force to:





remove disruptive children from the classroom where they have refused to
follow an instruction to do so;
prevent a pupil behaving in a way that disrupts a school event or a school
trip or visit;
prevent a pupil leaving the classroom where allowing the pupil to leave
would risk their safety or lead to behaviour that disrupts the behaviour of
others;
prevent a pupil from attacking a member of staff or another pupil, or to
stop a fight in the playground; and
restrain a pupil at risk of harming themselves through physical outbursts.
Schools cannot:

use force as a punishment – it is always unlawful to use force as a
punishment.
What form can reasonable force take?
Physical intervention can take several forms. It might involve staff:

Physically interposing between pupils;

Blocking a pupil’s path;

Holding;

Pushing;

Pulling;

Leading a pupil by the hand or arm;

Shepherding a pupil away by placing a hand in the centre of the back

(in extreme circumstances) using more restrictive holds.
NB. Always use the minimum force required in any situation.
However staff must, under no circumstances, take action which could cause injury,
such as:

holding a pupil around the neck, or by the collar, or in any other way that
might restrict the pupil’s ability to breathe;

slapping, punching or kicking a pupil;
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
twisting or forcing limbs against a joint;

tripping up a pupil;

holding or pulling a pupil by the hair or ear;

holding a pupil face down on the ground.
Staff should always avoid touching or holding a pupil in a way that might be
considered indecent.
Where possible the teacher should always try to deal with the situation through
other strategies before using force. Teachers need to develop strategies and
techniques for dealing with difficult pupils and situations which they should use to
defuse and calm a situation.
Post Incident
All students must be seen by Matron (or person deputising) immediately after any
incident involving physical contact.
Recording incidents
Immediately following any incident the member of staff concerned must inform
the Principal or Vice Principal and provide a written report. This must be
completed using the Incident Report Sheet, available from the Staff Room. It will
help prevent any misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the incident, and it will
be helpful should there be a complaint.
That should include:

the name (s) of the pupil (s) involved, and when and where the incident took
place;

the names of any other staff or pupils who witnessed the incident;

the reason that force was necessary (eg: to prevent injury to the pupil, another
pupil or member of staff);

how the incident began and progressed, including details of the pupil’s
behaviour, what was said by each of the parties, the steps taken to defuse or
calm the situation, the degree of force used, how that was applied, and for
how long;

the pupil’s response, and the outcome of the incident;

details of any injury suffered by the pupil, another pupil, or a member of staff
and of any damage to property. (In the case of injury a report from Matron
must be included).
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Staff may find it helpful to seek advice from a senior colleague or a representative
of their professional association when compiling a report.
They should also keep a copy of the report.
Incidents involving the use of force can cause the parents of the pupil involved
great concern. Thus the Principal or Vice Principal in consultation with the Head of
Learning will ensure that parents are informed of an incident involving their
child, and given them an opportunity to discuss it.
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The Principal or Vice Principal will orally inform the parents/carers on the day,
which may be later followed up in writing.
Complaints
Any complaints from parents regarding the use of unreasonable force to restrain or
control a pupil, may result in a member of staff being investigated under
disciplinary procedures or by the police and social services department under
child protection procedures.
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APPENDIX A
Advice from Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Generally

It is better to defuse than intervene.

Talk over episodes together, find out what you think might have been a good
response in difficult situations. Establish a culture of openness, don’t hide
behind a notion of professionalism not to report incidents.
On Breaking Up A Fight

Get rid of non-combatants; violence thrives on witnesses.

Don’t put yourself at risk; alert colleagues, enlist their help.

Assess a situation first.

Be calm, don’t take it personally.

Use verbal intervention first.
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APPENDIX B
December 2011
Restraints Record Sheet
Name of Pupil: ______________________
Date:____________________
Place where restraint was necessary:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Please record the events leading to the restraint:___________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Please state what force was used:_________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Why was the force used:__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Please state what happened next:________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Details of any alleged / apparent injuries suffered by either
Party:____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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Please name any witnesses:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Please sign when you have completed all of the sections:
Name:
________________________________________
Job Title: ________________________________________
Date:
________________________________________
Please pass this form immediately onto a named member of the
Senior Leadership Team.
Please state that name of the Senior Leaderships that you passed
this form onto:
Name:
________________________________________
Time:
________________________________________
Date:
________________________________________
Parent/Guardian informed:
Name: ___________________________
Date:____________________
By the Principal/Vice Principal _______________________
Delete as applicable and name if Vice Principal
This form should be completed and copies passed to:
 The Principal
 Head of Learning to put into the pupil’s file
 Vice Principal in charge of Restraints log
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