Members from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) last weekpassed a motion to campaign on the issue, because initial teachertraining courses vary in their approach to restraint.
There is currently no minimum level of restraint training on eitherinitial teacher training or newly qualified teacher courses.
The union wants all teacher training providers to cover the issueproperly. Schools and local authorities also need a code of practice onthe use of physical interventions, members have said.
Carly Prout, a trainee teacher from Berkshire, said the use of physicalrestraint is a grey area.
She said: "I have had no training, other than an hour and a quarterPowerPoint presentation. When I'm faced with a pupil defying me, whetherit's physically or verbally, I don't know what to do."
Cathy Tattersfield, a member of the union's Derbyshire and Derby Citybranch, said: "Proper extensive training in this field is veryeffective, so we must give it to the student teachers to help them tosucceed."
Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, said: "Teachers fear that ifthey use reasonable force to restrain a pupil who is in danger ofharming themselves or others, they are going to have to justifythemselves to a hostile audience."
The Department for Children, Schools and Families issued guidance forschools on restraint in November 2007. It says that force should only beused when there is no viable alternative.
