hertfordshire's policy on physical intervention in schools
hertfordshire's policy on physical intervention in schools
hertfordshire's policy on physical intervention in schools
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Any <strong>physical</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tact has to be managed <strong>in</strong> order to make sure that it is appropriate<br />
and leaves neither party vulnerable to allegati<strong>on</strong>s of abuse. Factors to c<strong>on</strong>sider<br />
might <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
Knowledge of the child, e.g. history/background<br />
Age (and age difference) – of child and adult<br />
C<strong>on</strong>text – where, when, why<br />
Relati<strong>on</strong>ship between staff member and child<br />
Gender<br />
Planned <strong>physical</strong> <strong>in</strong>terventi<strong>on</strong> can be viewed as positive, because it is committed to<br />
keep<strong>in</strong>g children and adults safe and <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> all sett<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
What the law says about restrictive <strong>physical</strong> <strong>in</strong>terventi<strong>on</strong>:<br />
School staff can use such force as is reas<strong>on</strong>able <strong>in</strong> the circumstances to prevent a<br />
pupil from do<strong>in</strong>g, or c<strong>on</strong>t<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g to do, any of the follow<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
Committ<strong>in</strong>g any offence (or, for a pupil under the age of crim<strong>in</strong>al<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sibility, what would be an offence for an older pupil);<br />
Caus<strong>in</strong>g pers<strong>on</strong>al <strong>in</strong>jury to, or damage to the property of, any pers<strong>on</strong><br />
(<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the pupil him/herself); or<br />
Prejudic<strong>in</strong>g the ma<strong>in</strong>tenance of good order and discipl<strong>in</strong>e at the school or<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g any pupils receiv<strong>in</strong>g educati<strong>on</strong> at the school, whether dur<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
teach<strong>in</strong>g sessi<strong>on</strong> or otherwise.<br />
Def<strong>in</strong>iti<strong>on</strong>s of ‘school staff’:<br />
<br />
<br />
Any teacher who works at the school; and<br />
Any other pers<strong>on</strong> whom the head has authorised to have c<strong>on</strong>trol or charge<br />
of pupils. This:<br />
1. <strong>in</strong>cludes support staff whose job normally <strong>in</strong>cludes supervis<strong>in</strong>g pupils,<br />
such as teach<strong>in</strong>g assistants, learn<strong>in</strong>g support assistants, learn<strong>in</strong>g mentors<br />
and lunchtime supervisors.<br />
2. can also <strong>in</strong>clude people to whom the head has given temporary<br />
authorisati<strong>on</strong> to have c<strong>on</strong>trol or charge of pupils, such as paid<br />
members of staff whose job doesn’t normally <strong>in</strong>volve supervis<strong>in</strong>g<br />
pupils (e.g. cater<strong>in</strong>g or premises staff) and unpaid volunteers (e.g.<br />
parents accompany<strong>in</strong>g pupils <strong>on</strong> school-organised visits).<br />
3. does NOT <strong>in</strong>clude prefects or any other pupils .<br />
This power may be used where a pupil (<strong>in</strong>cl. <strong>on</strong>e from another school) is <strong>on</strong> school<br />
premises or <strong>in</strong> the lawful c<strong>on</strong>trol or charge of the member of staff – e.g. <strong>on</strong> a school<br />
visit.<br />
Reas<strong>on</strong>able force:<br />
<br />
There is no legal def<strong>in</strong>iti<strong>on</strong> of when it is reas<strong>on</strong>able to use force. That will<br />
always depend <strong>on</strong> the precise circumstances of <strong>in</strong>dividual cases. To be judged