Physical Control in Care Training Manual - Independent Advisory ...

PHYSICAL CONTROL IN CAREIn relation to employees, section 7 states: “It shall be theduty of every employee while at work…to take reasonablecare for the health and safety of himself and, of otherpersons who may be affected by his acts or omissions atwork”.General principles to considerThe legislative frameworks and rules outlined above incorporate anumber of similar general principles which will assist in determiningwhether the use of force is justified and in accordance with law.These principles should always be considered by staff prior to anyuse of force:• Is the use of force reasonable in the circumstances?The interpretation of reasonableness is a key issue concerning theuse of force. The issue of reasonableness is a matter of fact to bedecided in each individual case. Each set of circumstances will beunique and must be assessed on their own merits. Factors to betaken into account when deciding whether the use of force, or the useof a particular form of restraint, is ‘reasonable’ will be things such assize, age and sex of both the young person and the member of staffconcerned in the case and whether any weapons are present.Another factor to take into account is whether another person wouldconsider it reasonable to use force in that situation.• Is the use of force necessary in the circumstances?Force should only be used where it is absolutely necessary to do so.Restrictive physical interventions must only be used as a last resort,where there is no alternative available or other options have beenexhausted. The use of force to restrain a young person must alwaysbe viewed as the last option. The application of physical techniquesare to be used only when other methods not involving use of forcehave been tried and failed, or are judged unlikely to succeed, andaction needs to be taken to prevent injury to young people, to staff, toother people or serious damage to property.It is important to take into account the type of harm that a member ofstaff is trying to prevent - this will help determine whether force is© National Offender Management Service National Tactical Response Group 15July 2010