Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint

Being able to promote positive behaviour, de-escalate conflicts and provide boundaries is central to the quality of care provided in any foster home. Negative behaviour should be considered in a trauma-informed way and is usually best managed through building positive relationships with children. Foster carers need to be able to respond positively to each child or young person’s individual behaviour and to be skilled at both diffusing difficult situations and avoiding situations escalating. The child’s Placement Plan must set out any specific behavioural issues that need to be addressed or approaches to be used.

The Fostering Service promotes a positive culture which minimises any restrictive practice. Restrictive physical intervention must be used only in strict accordance with the legislative framework and the Fostering Service policy to protect the child and those around them.

No form of corporal punishment can be used on any child by a foster carer or a member of their household, and no foster child can be subject to any excessive or unreasonable measure of control, restraint or discipline. The use of touch and light holding to lead or guide the child may be a usual part of safe parenting for pre-school children.  However it is nevertheless a physical intervention and if it is restrictive or is regularly necessary for older children its use should be agreed with the care team.

Restrictive physical intervention should only be used in exceptional circumstances where it is the only appropriate immediate means to prevent likely injury to the child or other people, or likely serious damage to property, and in a manner consistent with the actions of any good parent. The use of physical intervention must be reasonable, proportionate and with the minimum of force. Other de-escalation or distraction techniques should be used before physical intervention is considered. All foster carers will receive training on managing behaviour and techniques to assist with de-escalation or managing unregulated behaviour safely without physical intervention. Details on mandatory training can be found on Olive.

Other physical interventions such as the locking of a door in order to contain a child is also considered to be a form of restraint as it impinges on a child's movement or freedom.

Foster carers will not be routinely trained in restraint. In the very few cases where a child has additional needs and the care team have agreed that foster carers need specific training to keep that child, and those around them safe through physical interventions, this will be provided on a case-by-case basis. A written plan will be in place outlining the circumstances under which physical intervention may be used.

Sanctions for unregulated or unwanted behaviour must be a last resort, be clear, reasonable and fair and must not include restraint or corporal punishment. You should discuss actions that constitute a sanction with your supervising social worker, ensuring agreement that it is proportionate, measured and can be understood by the child.  It is important to consider that a child may have disabilities, trauma or lived experiences that affect their behaviour, social skills, communication and understanding so require extra help with regulating their behaviour. You should work from a restorative or PACE framework.

Wherever possible foster carers should use constructive dialogue with the child or guide them away from a confrontational situation. They should also have an understanding of their own emotional response to a confrontation or threat, and know when to withdraw, concede or seek help. You should use supervision to reflect on your own responses and feelings arising from caring for children with unregulated behaviour.

All incidents must be reviewed, recorded and monitored and the views of the child sought, dependent on their age and understanding, and understood. Consideration should be given to the impact the intervention had on the child, why this was the right intervention, and what can be done to reduce the need for such an approach in the future.

See also Positive and Proactive Care: Reducing the Need for Restrictive Interventions - Department of Health and Social Care.

Surrey County Council has a clear written policy about acceptable measures of control, restraint and discipline of children placed with foster carers (Regulation 13 and Standard 3). All foster carers will be made aware of the policy and must apply it at all times.

See Surrey Children's Services, Restrictive Physical Intervention and Restraint Procedure.

Foster carers will be provided with appropriate training and development, including on understanding children’s unique needs and how they communicate.