6 hours Ago By [email protected] (Andrew Quinn)
The Scottish Government’s guidance on the use of physical intervention in schools is “unfit for purpose” and undermines teachers’ right to work in safety, a union has said. The NASUWT teaching union said the new document lacks practical guidance on when and how teachers can use restraint on pupils. Union officials have been calling for guidance for several years, warning teachers are increasingly experiencing violence and physical abuse.
The Government document sets out definitions for physical intervention and restraint. It says: “ Restraint should only be used to avert immediate risk of physical injury to any person where no less restrictive alternatives are viable. This reflects the principle of last resort.
Restraint must never be used as a form of punishment or as a means of securing a child or young person’s compliance.” The guidance defines restraint as any act carried out with the purpose of restricting a child’s movement, liberty or freedom to act independently. It says certain types of restraint must never be used, such as holding a child on the ground or applying pressure on the torso or joint.
The Record has led the way in calling for councils and the Scottish Government to get to grips with the issue as part of the Our Kids...
Our Future campaign. The Record has reported on numerous examples of sickening violence in and around schools which have been filmed and shared on social media by youngsters. Many of the video clips remain on sites such as Facebook or YouTube for days before they are finally removed - traumatising victims even further.
Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: “Despite waiting nearly a year for the publication of this guidance, teachers and school leaders will despair the lack of practical guidance on offer from the Scottish Government. "At a time of increasing levels of serious disruption and violence in schools, teachers and school leaders are being placed in an untenable position by the Scottish Government. Ministers should be clear that this guidance is unfit for purpose in its current form and further work is needed to better support teachers and school leaders.
” In her ministerial foreword to the guidance, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said the Government had listened to teachers’ concerns about worsening pupil behaviour following the pandemic. She said: “This new guidance, the third part of our ‘Included, Engaged, and Involved’ series, advises, rightly, that prevention and early intervention must be our primary approach. Meaning that we want to address the underlying causes of any distressed behaviour that poses a risk to the safety and wellbeing of others.
“By doing so, we can help schools deliver a safe and supportive learning environment and prevent the need for restraint and seclusion. While the guidance rightly has a focus on prevention, it is vital that our school staff are supported to intervene confidently and appropriately when the need arises. "Given the implications of using restraint and seclusion, the guidance advises on relationship-based approaches that can be used in their place.
” The Scottish Government has been asked for comment. To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
