Restraint Injuries at Special Schools

The report from the BBC’s ‘5 Live Investigates’ highlighting high levels of ‘restraint’ and injuries of pupils within Special Schools is deeply concerning. The lack of transparency regarding the use of restraint in schools, with more than 80% of Local Authorities purportedly not holding records regarding the use of restraint or of injuries arising from the use of restraint within schools in their areas, is particularly worrying. Within PROACT-SCIPr-UK®, we recognise the need to minimise the use of physical interventions and to emphasise sound behavioural support strategies based upon an individual’s needs, characteristics and preferences. With a focus upon positive and proactive approaches, this seeming over-reliance on restraint, which frequently causes injury and distress to the individuals concerned, would be unnecessary.

BBC’s ‘5 Live Investigates’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39530915