Restrictive Physical Intervention Policy

Being able to promote positive behaviour, de-escalate conflicts and provide boundaries is central to the quality of care provided in any foster home. Negative behaviour should be considered in a trauma-informed way and is usually best managed through building positive relationships with children. Foster carers need to be able to respond positively to each child or young person’s individual behaviour and to be skilled at both diffusing difficult situations and avoiding situations escalating. The child’s Placement Plan must set out any specific behavioural issues that need to be addressed or approaches to be used.

The Fostering Service promotes a positive culture which does not condone any restrictive practice. No form of corporal punishment can be used on any child by a foster carer or a member of their household, and no foster child can be subject to any unreasonable measure of control, restraint or discipline.

Foster carers will not be trained in restraint. Sanctions for unregulated or unwanted behaviour must be a last resort, be clear, reasonable and fair and must not include restraint or corporal punishment. You should discuss actions that constitute a sanction with your supervising social worker, ensuring agreement that it is proportionate, measured and can be understood by the child.  It is important to consider that a child may have disabilities, trauma or lived experiences that affect their behaviour, social skills, communication and understanding so require extra help with regulating their behaviour. You should work from a restorative or PACE framework.

Wherever possible foster carers should use constructive dialogue with the child or guide them away from a confrontational situation. They should also have an understanding of their own emotional response to a confrontation or threat, and know when to withdraw, concede or seek help. You should use supervision to reflect on your own responses and feelings arising from caring for children with unregulated behaviour.

Sanctions for poor behaviour must be clear, reasonable and fair and must not include restraint or corporal punishment.

All incidents must be reviewed, recorded and monitored and the views of the child sought, dependent on their age and understanding, and understood. Consideration should be given to the impact the intervention had on the child, why this was the right intervention, and what can be done to reduce the need for such an approach in the future.

See also Positive and Proactive Care: Reducing the Need for Restrictive Interventions - Department of Health and Social Care

Nottingham City Council has a clear written policy about acceptable measures of control, restraint and discipline of children placed with foster carers (Regulation 13 and Standard 3). All foster carers will be made aware of the policy and must apply it at all times.

For more information, see Local Resources.

Foster carers will be provided with appropriate training and development, around understanding and appropriately managing and regulating children and young people's behaviour.