---
title: Physical Restraint of Children and Young People
description: "**Physical Restraint – last-resort safety, never a behaviour-management tool** *(aligned with the agency **Restraint Policy**, March 2025 edition)* Positive Aspirations Group’s stance is clear: **physical restraint is avoided whenever humanly possible.** It is *not* a method for enforcing rules or…"
url: "https://handbook.co.uk/docs/physical-restraint-of-children-and-young-people/"
updated: "2025-07-13"
category: Foster Carer Handbook
tags:
  - Restraint
---

# Physical Restraint of Children and Young People

**Physical Restraint – last-resort safety, never a behaviour-management tool**

*(aligned with the agency **Restraint Policy**, March 2025 edition)*

Positive Aspirations Group’s stance is clear: **physical restraint is avoided whenever humanly possible.** It is *not* a method for enforcing rules or winning arguments; it exists only for split-second situations where immediate, serious harm is otherwise unavoidable.

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**1 | Principles to remember**

1. **De-escalate first** – calm voice, space, choices, change of adult.
2. **Withdraw if you can** – move yourself (and anyone else at risk) out of harm’s way.
3. **Call police if danger remains** – they have training and legal powers you do not.
4. **Use restraint only if** all the following apply simultaneously:
   - An **imminent risk** of serious injury to the child, another person or of major property destruction (e.g., setting fire).
   - Withdrawal or other de-escalation is impossible.
   - You believe you can intervene **safely** without escalating risk.

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**2 | If restraint happens**

Even a brief hold must be treated as a critical incident.

| **Step** | **Action** |
| --- | --- |
| **Immediately after** | Check for injuries, offer reassurance, restore calm. |
| **Within the hour** | Phone your SSW (or out-of-hours) *and* the child’s social worker. |
| **Within 24 h** | Complete an Incident Report with: what led up to the restraint, exact technique used, duration, the child’s words and your own feelings. |
| **Follow-up** | Debrief with the child when calm, update the risk assessment and Safer-Caring Plan, and reflect in supervision. |

The agency will notify Ofsted as a *Notifiable Event* and decide whether the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) must be informed.

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**3 | Training and review**

While we expect carers to avoid restraint, you will still receive annual refresher training on:

- recognising escalating behaviour and trauma triggers;
- non-contact de-escalation strategies;
- legal thresholds for reasonable force;
- safe, short techniques for emergency hand-to-hand holds (taught only as last-resort knowledge).

If a restraint occurs, targeted coaching is arranged before another similar situation arises.

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**4 | Trauma-informed reflection**

Restraint—even when justified—can reactivate past trauma for children and carers alike. Use supervision to process emotions and adjust care plans: What was the spark that ignited the crisis? How can we meet that underlying need differently next time?

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**Key message:** Physical restraint is the *absolute* last resort. Withdraw, protect, call for help—and record everything. When restraint does happen, transparent reporting and reflective learning safeguard everyone and reduce the chance of a repeat.