Reducing Restrictive Intervention of Children and Young People - expert comment

Reducing Restrictive Intervention of Children and Young People is published today by the RRISC group, which includes the Challenging Behaviour Foundation (CBF) and Positive and Active Behaviour Support Scotland (PABSS).

The report presents data gathered from over 700 families who have reported injuries to children including bruises (ranging in size and severity), abrasions, scratches, head injuries, cuts and broken bones as a result of restraint, seclusion and other restrictive interventions in schools across the UK.

The data were analysed in collaboration with academics from The Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR) at the University of Warwick.

Professor Richard Hastings, one of the University of Warwick research team said: "The information shared by families is likely to be the tip of an iceberg of inappropriate treatment of children whose behaviour can be challenging at school.

"Restrictive practices are clearly not being used in “last resort” circumstances, and are being used with very young children.

"There are evidence-based practices that can help schools, but the whole educational system needs to first shift its focus away from a “no tolerance” approach to the behaviour of vulnerable young people."