DfE updates guidance on use of restraint and seclusion in schools

The Department for Education has updated its guidance on the use of restraint in schools, introducing new statutory requirements on how incidents involving force and seclusion must be recorded and reported.

The guidance, published in April, replaces the previous advice on reasonable force issued in 2013 and applies to all schools in England, including academies, independent schools, pupil referral units and maintained nursery schools.

It sets out when staff may lawfully use restrictive interventions – including physical restraint and seclusion – and places greater emphasis on prevention, de-escalation and safeguarding pupils’ welfare.

From April 2026, schools will be under a statutory duty to record and report every significant incident involving the use of force by staff. This includes providing written notification to parents as soon as practicable and no later than the same day, except in limited circumstances where doing so would risk serious harm.

The updated guidance also introduces a new legal duty to record and report incidents of seclusion, defined as keeping a pupil confined to a space away from others and preventing them from leaving. Seclusion is described as a non-disciplinary safety measure that should only be used to prevent harm when a pupil is experiencing acute emotional or behavioural distress.

The document makes clear that force must never be used as a punishment and that pupils should not be restrained in ways that restrict breathing, circulation or the airway, including pressure to the neck, abdomen, mouth or nose. Staff are advised to release or reposition holds as quickly as possible if a pupil is unintentionally held on the ground.

Schools are also warned against adopting “no contact” policies, with the guidance stating that such approaches could leave staff unable to intervene to protect pupils or others when necessary.

Additional sections focus on the disproportionate use of restraint on pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, calling on schools to identify triggers, make reasonable adjustments and work with families to reduce the likelihood of restrictive interventions.

Governing bodies and proprietors are required to review data on restraint and seclusion regularly to identify patterns, improve practice and address any disproportionate impact on particular groups of pupils.

The Department for Education said the guidance is intended to help schools minimise the need for restrictive interventions while ensuring staff are clear about when and how they may be used safely, appropriately and lawfully