Restraint training needed for entire workforce

21 April 2009 1 min read Lauren Higgs Early Years Education Health Social Care Youth Work

The whole of the children's workforce would benefit from basic training on the law relating to the use of restraint, the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) has said.

There is currently no minimum legal requirement for restraint trainingoutside the secure estate. Members of the Association of Teachers andLecturers last week called for more training on restraint in schools(CYP Now, 16-22 April 2009). The union fears school staff areill-equipped to use restraint, because neither initial teacher trainingnor newly qualified teacher courses are required to provide minimumtraining on managing challenging behaviour.

Ann Baxter, chair of the ADCS's health, care and additional needs policycommittee, said that everyone who works with children and young peopleshould be informed about government guidelines on restraint.

All workers should know about alternatives to using force, and restraintmust be "reasonable and proportionate," she said.

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