Restrictive Practices Policy

Statement

In our setting we believe that children need to be safe, behave appropriately, and know that the adults around them can manage & support them safely and confidently.  We are committed to creating a safe, calm and supportive environment. 

 

We use preventative strategies to manage behaviour positively and effectively. However, for a very small minority of children, physical intervention may be necessary. In such cases, only acceptable and appropriate forms of intervention will be used. 

 

Introduction

This policy outlines the procedures to be followed in the case of Physical Intervention and Restrictive practices being used by a member of staff towards a child. The majority of children follow the expectations of the Preschool. We have a responsibility to operate an effective behaviour policy that encompasses preventative strategies for supporting in relation to the whole group of children, and to individuals. 

 

The EYFS permits physical intervention only when necessary to prevent harm. “Physical intervention should only be used if it is necessary to prevent personal injury to the child, other children or an adult, or serious damage to property”. 

 

All staff need to feel able to manage inappropriate behaviour, and to understand what challenging behaviours might be communicating. Parents need to know that their children are safe with us, and they need to be properly informed if their child is the subject of Physical Intervention, including the intervention and the rationale for its use. 

 

Definitions

 

Physical Intervention: The Early Years Foundation Stage statutory guidance states that Physical intervention is where practitioners use reasonable force to prevent children from injuring themselves or others or damaging property.

 

Physical intervention must never be used as a punishment or to cause pain, make children unhappy or to move a child around who is mobile.

 

Intervention should only be used when everything else has been attempted or there is immediate danger, an emergency to the child, other children or adults within Preschool. Other methods of managing the situation (such as defusing conflict, non-physical calming, distraction and verbal communication). 

 

Restrictive practice:  The Early Years Foundation Stage statutory guidance defines restrictive practice as Deliberate acts that restrict a child’s movement, liberty or freedom to act independently, typically to prevent serious harm. This includes the use of physical restraint, seclusion, or other interventions that restricts a child’s freedom. 

 

Appropriate use and guidelines

 

Physical intervention and Restrictive practices will only be used when all other strategies have failed, and therefore only as a last resort. There are situations when physical intervention may be necessary, for example in a situation of clear danger or extreme urgency. Certain children may become distressed, agitated, and overwhelmed which results in them needing help to self-regulate and calm down. 

 

The safety and well-being all staff and children are paramount and important considerations to be made. Under certain circumstance this duty must be an over-riding factor. 

• Staff should calmy communicate with the child before resorting to physical intervention. 

• Staff member should firstly verbalise the rule/boundary and or request. 

• Staff member should then tell the child that if they do not follow the request, they will be picked up/lifted/ moved because…. (and explain why)

• A witness/assistant should be present. 

• The manager should be informed and notified immediately after an incident. 

• A written record should be completed- The child’s accident/ injury log should be filled in and the witness’s name should be provided. 

• The parent and/or carer should be informed on collection of the child. 

 

Procedure to follow if physical intervention or restrictive practice is used

Staff will use minimum force needed to restore safety and appropriate behaviour. 

 

The principles: 

 

- Physical intervention is always an act of care and not punishment. It is never used to force compliance with staff instructions where health & safety is not at risk. 

- Staff will only use it when necessary and immediate action is required for the child, and/or other children and adults best interest. 

- Staff will take steps in advance to avoid the need for Physical Intervention through dialogue, distraction and diversion and the child will always be warned, at their level of understanding, that physical intervention will be used unless they cease the unacceptable behaviour/risk. 

- Staff will be able to show that the intervention used was in keeping with the incident. A record of the incident will be written up and parents will be informed. 

- Every effort will be made to secure another member of staff presence who can act as assistants and/or a witness. 

- Physical Intervention will be quick and as soon as the child is safe/in a safe space it will be relaxed to allow the child to re-gain control. 

- A distinction will be maintained between the use of a one-off intervention which is appropriate due to the circumstances and the using of this procedure repeatedly as a regular feature of the setting. If the child requires this support often, a meeting would be had with the parents or carers and a Possible Lines of Development plan (PLoD),  an Individual Behaviour Plan (IBP)  and/or risk assessment would be devised to show this developmental stage, and considerations will be given to approaches appropriate to each child’s circumstance and the situations most likely to trigger difficult behaviour. 

- The age, understanding and competence of the individual child will always be considered before Physical Intervention is used. 

 

Acceptable forms of intervention

 

There are occasions when staff will have cause to use Physical Intervention for a few reasons. For example: 

 

• To gently direct a child

• In an emergency to avert danger to the child or other children/staff. 

Developing a positive handling plan

If a child is identified, for whom it is felt that Physical Intervention and Restrictive practices is likely, then a meeting will be held with the parents and/or carers. A plan will be devised to avoid difficult situations through understanding the factors that influence the behaviours and attempting to identify the early warning signs that indicate foreseeable behaviours that may be developing. 

 

Guidance and staff training 

 

Guidance and training is essential in this area, so we can adopt best practice. Two members of our staff have recently attended the ‘Understanding Restrictive Practises’ training through the local authority. This information has been cascaded down to all members of staff. 

Post incident management

 

Incidents that require Physical Intervention and Restrictive practices can be upsetting for all concerned. Therefore, if staff need to have some time away from the children, then this will be provided. If staff would like to discuss the experience with management, emotional support will be available. 

 

 Every effort will be made for a second person to be there to assist and/or act as a witness. Staff will write up a report on the child’s accident/injury log and parents and carers will also be informed on collection of their child. Staff will always be encouraged to reflect on the situation/experience. 

 

Complaints

It is intended that by adopting this policy and keeping parents informed, we can avoid the need for complaints. All disputes which arise regarding the implementation of Physical Intervention by a member of staff will be dealt with accordingly to meet our Safeguarding policies and Grievance/Disciplinary policy. 

 

Adopted by Directors on June 2025