The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care have issued non-statutory guidance that sets out how health and social care services and special education settings (including local authority and independent fostering service providers and children’s homes) can support children and young people who are at risk of restrictive intervention as a result of their learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and mental health difficulties. The guidance recognises that restraint and restrictive intervention are traumatising to children and young people, and their families and carers, and states that “Restrictive intervention should only be used when absolutely necessary, in accordance with the law and clear ethical values and principles which respect the rights and dignity of children and young people, and in proportion to the risks involved”.
The full guidance document is available on the Gov.uk website >