Vulnerable disabled children have suffered broken bones after schools have restrained or secluded them.
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation (CBF) and Positive and Active Behaviour Support Scotland (PABSS) say young people are being harmed by the treatment.
Vivien Cooper with son Daniel. Cooper is calling on the government to ensure all restraints and seclusions are recorded
In a report, the groups tell how, as well as broken bones, children have suffered head injuries, bruises, abrasions and scratches while schools were restraining them.
Forced into a room
Seclusion, meanwhile, is when staff force a pupil alone into a room or an area and physically prevent them from leaving. This includes situations where staff lock the door, hold the door shut or block it with objects.
The CBF and PABSS gathered data from more than 700 families for academics from the University of Warwick to analyse.
The groups say families have learnt their children have suffered multiple restraints without their knowledge.
Restrained or secluded with no need to report
Schools do not have to report when pupils are restrained or secluded.
One family, who wished to remain anonymous, said school had “profoundly affected” their daughter, Annie.
They say Annie is now having “trauma therapy” and has moved to a school with a “very different approach”.
Families say schools use restraint in situations that are “not extreme”, with unclear reasons given such as “misbehaviour” and “non-compliance”.
‘No excuse’ for injuring children
Vivien Cooper, whose grown-up son Daniel has a severe learning disability, is the CBF chief executive.
She said the Government should “mandate recording and reporting” and “there is no excuse” for injuring children with “outdated and harmful practices”.
Beth Morrison, who also has a grown up son with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism and learning disabilities, is PABSS chief executive.
She wants“stronger laws and guidance and honesty with families”.
Schools may need to use ‘reasonable force’
The Department for Education (DfE) says schools may “at times” need to use “reasonable force” to break up fights or protect pupils or staff.
However, the DfE insists excessive restraint is “wrong” and “should not be happening”.
The DfE said it published guidance last June promoting preventative and non-restrictive approaches.
Related:
- Mum in court move over school restraint
- Legal plan to protect our schoolchildren
- Nine in ten disabled children restrained
- Protest at chill-out room reforms
- Scots take seclusion fight to parliament
- Dad demands tougher laws on restraint
Published: 24 February 2020
