The use of reasonable force to control
or restrain a pupil policy
Contents
1. Rationale
2. Principles: When to use reasonable force
3. What constitutes reasonable force
4. Staff training
5. Monitoring and recording incidents
6. Relevant regulations
Adopted by Governors on:
Review Period: 3 Years
Review Date:
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1) Rationale:
The Mendip Partnership School aims to provide an environment where all pupils and
staff are safe and secure. This is achieved by all members of the community being
aware of and following the schools behaviour policy.
In the main, the school considers the use of force unnecessary in maintaining discipline.
It is accepted that there may be occasions within the school where the use of controlled
force may be appropriate.
The school policy on the use of force follows the guidelines offered in the DFE non
statutory guidance ‘The use of reasonable force, advice for Headteachers, staff and
Governing Bodies (July 2013) which represents the most current guidance available.
2) Principles:
When to use reasonable force?
The use of force should be avoided whenever possible and should only be used in
particular circumstances. In accordance with circular 10/98 teachers may use
‘reasonable force’ to prevent a pupil from:
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committing a criminal offence
injuring themselves or others
damaging property
acting in a way that is counter to maintaining good order and discipline in or
out of the classroom.
The provision of the act does not just apply to incidents in school itself. Circular 10/98
states that they apply whenever you have ‘lawful control or charge of the pupil’
(para.10.)
3) What constitutes reasonable force?
The degree of any force employed must be in proportion to the circumstances of the
incident. Any force used should always be the minimum to achieve the desired result.
The guidance suggests reasonable physical interventions might be:
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physically interposing between pupils;
blocking a pupil’s path
holding;
pushing or pulling;
leading a pupil by the hand or arm;
shepherding a pupil away by placing a hand in the centre of the back, (or in
more extreme circumstances) using more restrictive holds.
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Teachers must seek to avoid doing anything that ‘might reasonably be expected to
cause injury’ (para.23.) or ‘touching or holding a pupil in a way the might be considered
indecent’ (para.24.). Teachers ‘should always try to deal with a situation through other
strategies before using force’ (para. 24). For example before intervening physically a
teacher should, whenever possible, tell the pupil who is misbehaving to stop and to
outline the consequences of what will happen if they do not stop. It should also be made
clear that restraint will stop as soon as it ceases to be necessary.
Staff should be aware that in all cases of physical contact with pupils it might ultimately
be for the courts to decide whether a teacher acted ‘reasonably’ and the consequences
of an error of judgement could be serious.
Staff should not put themselves into physical danger. It is recommended that where the
situation permits a senior member of staff should be called to supervise or carry out the
use of reasonable force. Where the member of staff considers the risk of injury to
themselves or to others to be too great other actions should be considered, such as the
removal of all other pupils from the area.
4) Staff Training:
The school will ensure that all staff are trained in the methodologies of ‘Team Teach’ An
accredited course which aims to:
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promote the least intrusive positive handling strategy and a continuum of gradual
and graded techniques, with an emphasis and preference for the use of verbal,
non-verbal de-escalation strategies being used and exhausted before positive
handling strategies are utilised.
enable services develop acceptable and authorised responses to disruptive,
disturbing, angry and aggressive behaviours in a manner that maintains positive
relationships and provides safety for all.
reduce the amount of serious incidents involving physical controls in all settings
and to emphasise the importance of exhausting behaviour management
strategies in the first instance.
increase the awareness of staff concerning the importance of recording and
reporting, monitoring and evaluating, all incidents involving positive handling.
provide a process of repair and reflection for both staff and children.
The school aims to become self sufficient in the ‘Team Teach approach by having
members of staff train and team teach trainers.
5) Monitoring and recording incidents:
Detailed and up to date records should be submitted to the Headteacher as soon as
possible after the incident has occurred. It is advisable that staff involved retain a copy
of the report and consider informing their union rep at this point.
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Records of any incident should include:
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The name(s) of the pupils involved
When and where the incident took place
Why the use of force was deemed necessary
Details of the incident, including all steps taken to diffuse the situation and
resolve it without force and the nature of force used
The pupil’s response
The outcome of the incident
A description of any injuries suffered by the pupil and/or any property
damaged during the incident
Where force has been used and a report has been submitted a senior member of staff
should inform a parent of the pupil involved.
The Head of Centre has overall responsibility for monitoring the use of force within the
centre. This includes the recording of any incidents in the centre ‘incident book’ and
dealing with any complaints from parents.
Ultimately the Headteacher has overall responsibility for issues arising from incidents
where force has been used.
The governing body will regularly review this policy and make it available to parents and
for inspection purposes.
6) Relevant regulations:
‘The use of reasonable force, advice for Headteachers, Staff and Governing Bodies’
(July 2013)
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