Approaches to minimising use of restraint: How do professionals describe instances where they have avoided or had to resort to restrictive practices? What considerations did they apply? How do they describe their training as preparing them for those events?
Background
The Promise sets a clear ambition that children and young people should be cared for in ways that minimise distress and avoids the need for restraint, unless it is the only option to ensure their safety. Current Care Inspectorate data provides insight into the use of restrictive practices in residential childcare settings, but evidence remains uneven across other parts of their lives where restraint may occur. Recent work through The Promise Rethinking Restraint pilot demonstrated that meaningful reductions in physical restraint are achievable when organisations invest in trauma‑informed cultures, reflective practice, and strong relational approaches.
Understanding how successful local practice can be sustainably scaled and embedded nationally would support more effective policy and guide implementation. Key to this will be building a clearer picture of how best practice varies for children with different needs and experiences, and how the safety of children experiencing the ‘care system’, their caregivers, and those around them can be prioritised while working to meet these ambitions.
Next steps
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Topics
Research fields
Related UKRI funded projects
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University of Strathclyde and SEAMAB KTP 23_24 R1
To reduce, and where possible eliminate, the use of physical intervention while averting the deleterious unintended consequences that can arise from restraint reduction efforts. To embed expertise in restraint reduction,...
Funded by: Innovate UK
Lead research organisation: UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE
Why might this be relevant?
The project aims to reduce and eliminate the use of physical intervention, aligning with the goal of minimizing the use of restraint.
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Parents of Abused and Neglected Children: Assessing Engagement and Change
When social workers work with children who have been or are likely to be abused or neglected, their first duty is to try to ensure the safety of the child. In many situations, such children can remain with their parents ...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Bristol
Why might this be relevant?
The project focuses on assessing parental engagement and capacity to change, which is related to the considerations professionals apply in avoiding restraint.