A campaigning mum fighting to reduce restraint in special schools is preparing for a court battle.
The move follows a meeting with education officials that ended in stalemate.
Beth Morrison has warned the government she will press ahead with plans for a legal challenge to restraint in special schools if they don’t promise a new law restricting its use
Beth Morrison wants a new law that would stop teachers restraining pupils in special schools to maintain order.
Guidance on restraint and seclusion
The UK government published new guidance last month on restraining and secluding special needs children.
This emphasises understanding children’s triggers and adapting environments to reduce restraint.
But Morrison, from Monifieth, in Angus, insists guidance is no substitute for a law controlling the steps teachers can take.
Unexplained bruising
Morrison, 53, started her campaign in Scotland in 2010. It followed her son, who was then 11 years old, returning home from school with unexplained bruising. Her son has epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism and learning disabilities.
Morrison met officials from the Department for Education (DfE) on Tuesday 9 July but failed to reach an agreement.
Unless the UK government commits to legislation she has vowed to take it to a judicial review.
‘Guise’ of maintaining good order
She said “under the guise of maintaining good order and discipline”, restraint is often resorted to when children refuse to co-operate.
However, she said she understands restraint is necessary when children are a danger to themselves or others.
Morrison said the government has a week to act before she and fellow campaigners turn their attention back to a crowdfunded judicial review.
At the time of this story’s publication her campaign has raised just over £7,100.
The DfE says there may be times, such as if a child is going to run into a road or attacking a member of staff, when restraint is the only option.
Click here to visit Morrison’s crowdfunding page.
Related:
- Legal plan to protect our schoolchildren
- Nine in ten disabled children restrained
- Protest at chill-out room reforms
- Scots take seclusion fight to parliament
Published: 16 July 2019
