Research and analysis

Use of reasonable force in AP and special schools

How alternative provision (AP) and special schools in England currently use reasonable force, including physical restraint and other restrictive practices.

From:
Department for Education
Published
21 March 2024

Applies to England

Documents

Reasonable force, restraint and restrictive practices in alternative provision and special schools

Ref: ISBN 978-1-83870-537-4, RR1414

PDF, 378 KB, 45 pages

Details

This report summarises the findings from qualitative research that looked at:

  • schools’ policies on using reasonable force
  • how schools engage with the use of reasonable force in schools guidance
  • staff training in physical restraint and restrictive practices
  • what methods schools use to minimise the need to use reasonable force
  • how schools record and report their use of reasonable force

The research involved interviews with school leaders and staff from 45 special and alternative provision schools.

Updates to this page

Published 21 March 2024

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