Special Educational Needs: Restraint Techniques

(asked on 12th March 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education of 11 March 2019, Official Report, column 12 on Support for Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, what are the terms of reference of the root and branch review of restraint his Department is undertaking with the Department for Health and Social Care; and what plans he has to consult with (a) children, (b) parents and (c) representatives of interested organisations as part of that review.


Answered by
Nadhim Zahawi Portrait
Nadhim Zahawi
This question was answered on 15th March 2019

Following extensive engagement with interested parties, the Department for Education and the Department for Health and Social Care launched a consultation on draft guidance on reducing the need for restraint and restrictive intervention for children and young people with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions or mental health needs. The consultation sought views on how well the draft guidance would help a range of settings and services to support children and young people recognised as being at higher risk of restraint. The proposed scope of the guidance was health and care settings, special schools and specialist colleges.

The consultation closed last year and we are currently considering the responses.

Reticulating Splines