GovWire

This framework establishes a clear, coherent and child-focused policy statement about the use of restraint and physical interventions by staff who work with children and young people who have been remanded or sentenced to custody by the Courts. It recognises that while every effort is made to reduce the likelihood that it is sometimes necessary for staff to physically intervene, there are some scenarios where staff have no other option to prevent violence or protect themselves or others from injury or serious harm through the use of restraint or physical intervention. It therefore sets out duties, rules and general guidance for staff in those scenarios.

The framework applies to all YCS secure settings where remanded and sentenced children and young people may be placed including under-18 Young Offender Institutions (YOI), Secure Training Centres (STC) and Secure Childrens Homes (SCH), as well as to escort providers responsible for the physical movement of children between secure settings and Courts.

To ensure that they are prepared for the response in such scenarios all members of staff must be trained to apply the local syllabus on restraint and physical intervention and understand the principles of law and the relevant Rules or Regulations which apply to their setting and how this applies to their practice.

The framework also provides rules and guidance about the effective and timely recording of incidents where restraint or physical intervention has been used, and the provision of post-incident care and support for staff and children and young people including the consideration and response to any safeguarding matters.

From the frameworks implementation date PSO 1600, guidance on use of force in prisons, and PSI 30/2015, amendments to PSO 1600, will cease to apply to under-18 YOI in the YCS.