Staff have the statutory power to use reasonable force to prevent a pupil from:

• committing an offence;
• causing personal injury to themselves or others;
• damaging property; or
• seriously prejudicing the maintenance of good order and discipline at the school or among pupils.

The use of reasonable force will always be a last resort and will be lawful only when it is reasonable, necessary, proportionate and in the circumstances known to the member of staff at the time. Staff should, wherever possible, seek to de-escalate situations through effective behaviour management strategies before considering any physical intervention.

Any incident involving the use of reasonable force or physical intervention will be recorded on CPOMS and reported to senior leaders in accordance with academy procedures. Parents/carers will normally be informed as soon as practicable following a significant incident, within 24 hours.

The academy does not use seclusion or isolation that prevents a pupil from freely leaving an area. Any withdrawal from a classroom or learning environment will be for safeguarding, support, de-escalation or educational purposes, will be proportionate, time-limited and supervised, and will never be used as a form of punishment.

Who Can Use Reasonable Force?

All members of school staff have the legal power to use reasonable force. This includes teachers and other staff whom the Principal has authorised to have control or charge of pupils.

When Can Reasonable Force Be Used?

Reasonable force may be used to:

• prevent a pupil from hurting themselves or others;
• prevent a pupil from damaging property;
• prevent a pupil from causing serious disruption to the good order and discipline of the school;
• remove a disruptive pupil from the classroom where they have refused to follow an instruction to leave;
• prevent a pupil from disrupting a school event, educational visit or trip;
• prevent a pupil from leaving a classroom or other area where doing so would risk their safety or the safety of others;
• prevent a pupil from attacking a member of staff or another pupil, or to stop a fight;
• prevent a pupil from absconding where this would place them or others at risk; and
• prevent a pupil from harming themselves through physical actions or behaviour.

What Is Reasonable Force?

Reasonable force covers a wide range of actions that involve a degree of physical contact with a pupil. The force used must always be:

• proportionate to the consequences it is intended to prevent;
• the minimum force necessary to achieve the desired outcome;
• applied for the shortest possible time; and
• appropriate to the age, understanding, medical needs and individual circumstances of the pupil.

Examples may include:

• guiding a pupil by the arm;
• standing between pupils;
• blocking a pupil's path;
• leading a pupil to a safe space; or
• separating pupils involved in a conflict.

In more serious situations, staff may use restrictive physical intervention where this is necessary to prevent injury, serious damage to property or significant disruption.

Restrictive Physical Intervention

Restrictive physical intervention is any intervention involving direct physical contact where the intention is to prevent, restrict or subdue the movement of another person.

The academy does not use restrictive physical intervention as a punishment and will never use force in a way that is intended to cause pain, humiliation or distress.

Where a pupil has an identified need that may require physical intervention, a specific risk assessment and Positive Handling Plan will be developed. Any planned positive handling strategies will be implemented only by appropriately trained staff in accordance with the academy's Positive Handling Protocol.

Pupils with SEND and Disabilities

The academy recognises its duties under the Equality Act 2010 and will make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils and pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Staff should be aware that some pupils with SEND may present behaviours which increase the likelihood of physical intervention being required. In these circumstances, staff should follow agreed risk assessments, support plans and behaviour plans wherever possible. However, the legal power to use reasonable force applies equally to all pupils where the statutory criteria are met.

Recording and Reporting

Following any use of reasonable force:

• the incident must be recorded on CPOMS as soon as possible;
• the circumstances leading to the intervention, the actions taken and the outcome must be recorded;
• senior leaders will review the incident;
• parents/carers will be informed; and
• the pupil and staff involved will be offered appropriate support and follow up.

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