Restraint, seclusion and medication

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Restraint and seclusion

What are restrictive interventions?

When we refer to restrictive intervention with children, we mean: 

• Physical restraint – direct physical contact between the carer and person (e.g., being held on the floor);
• Seclusion – supervised containment or isolation away from others in a room the child is prevented from leaving (e.g., locking the person in a room);
• Mechanical restraint – materials or equipment used to restrict or prevent movement (e.g., arm splints);
• Blanket restrictions (including lack of access to certain places, belongings or activities);
• Chemical restraint – the use of medication in response to someone’s behaviour (e.g., the use of sedative or antipsychotic medication such as Risperidone in response to behaviour that challenges rather than due to a diagnosis of psychosis).

Find out more about:

Physical restraint & seclusion

Chemical restraint

Protecting Rights; Eliminating Restraint Group

We are working together with family carers and professionals who are passionate about eliminating restrictive interventions and protecting the rights of disabled children and young people. We are working with campaigners and other stakeholders to share information, good practice and updates about policy and legislation changes from across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, in addition to identifying actions needed to drive positive change.

We are known as the Protecting Rights: Eliminating Restraint Group. We were formerly known as RRISC (Reducing Restrictive Interventions and Safeguarding Children). The name was changed in 2022 to reflect the group’s focus on the rights of disabled children and young people and the importance of eliminating restraint wherever possible.

Family carer film

At a meeting of the Reducing Restrictive Interventions and Safeguarding Children group (now known as the Protecting Rights; Eliminating Restraint group) we filmed three parents talking about restrictive intervention experienced by their children, and the long-term impact on the whole family. You can watch the short film we made:

Reports

Our reports share family carers’ shocking accounts of their children’s experiences of restrictive intervention through a survey and case studies. We found children are being injured physically and emotionally though the use of restraint, seclusion and other restrictive practices in schools. You can read the reports here:

Reducing Restrictive Intervention of Children and Young People: case study and survey results (2019)

Reducing Restrictive Intervention of Children and Young People – update of case study results (2020)

Restrictive Intervention of children and young people with SEN and disabilities during the pandemic – Family Carer and School Staff Surveys

Restrictive Intervention of children and young people with SEN and disabilities during the pandemic – Data supplement

We launched our case study update report at an event at the House of Lords on 10th February 2020 hosted by Baroness Sheila Hollins. The aim of the event was to raise awareness about this hidden issue and encourage different organisations, researchers and stakeholders across the UK to pledge to action to reduce restrictive interventions of children and young people. 

I hope we will look back on today as the start of a real process of change – Baroness Hollins

Medication

Medication, or chemical restraint, is a frequently-used restrictive intervention. You can read about the CBF’s specific work tackling the use of over-medication and inappropriate medication here:

Medication

Resources on our website

The CBF has information available for anyone who has concerns about the issues raised which can be found here:

When things go wrong

Supporting organisations

Family Support Service

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this statement, you can call the Family Support Service on 0300 666 0126

Or email us at support@thecbf.org.uk

We are open at the following times:

Monday – Thursday: 9am – 5pm
Friday: 9am – 3pm

We offer information about challenging behaviour to anyone who provides support to a child, young person or adult with a severe learning disability. We can also signpost you to other specialist organisations and sources of information.

Please note we are a small support service so you may not be able to get support straight away. We will support families with urgent concerns as a priority.

Professionals are also welcome to contact the CBF.