Directors of Social Services Chief Executives of Health Authorities Chief Executives of Primary Care Groups
GUIDANCE ON RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY AND AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER, IN HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE SETTINGS I am pleased to announce the publication of the above guidance issued under section 7 of the LASSL Act 1970. This document is issued jointly by Department of Health and Department for Education and Skills. This is the first time that such guidance has been issued. It focuses on the need for provider agencies to have effective policies, procedures and training for staff who work with people who may have behavioural episodes where restrictive physical intervention is necessary for their safety and the safety of others. The guidance promotes the concept of including potential strategies and actions in care plans, to help staff and people who use services deal effectively with such episodes. There is a strong emphasis on training and in using training organisations who have the expertise and experience to provide for this sector. The British Institute of Learning Disability are in the process of accrediting training organisations who offer training in restrictive physical interventions for those working with people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder. A limited number of printed copies are available from: Department of Health Publications PO Box 777 London SE1 6XH Fax: 01623 724524 Email: doh@prolog.uk.com
The guidance is also available on the DH Learning Disability Website at: www.doh.gov.uk/learningdisabilities. There is also an accessible version of the guidance which is available from: British Institute of Learning Disabilities Tel – 01752 202301 / 01562 723010 Major extracts are also on the BILD website: www.bild.org.uk
David Ellis Social Services Inspectorate Department of Health Disability Policy Branch
Guidance for Restrictive Physical Interventions
How
References: BILD (2001) Code of Practice for Trainers in the Use of Physical Interventions available from BILD, Campion House, Green Street, Kidderminster, Worcs DY10 1JL. BILD/DfES (forthcoming) Model Policies for Schools and Local Education Authorities on the Use of Physical Interventions for Pupils with Severe Behavioural Difficulties and Risk Assessment Proforma to Use when Undertaking Risk Assessments on Pupils with Severe Behavioural Difficulties. Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 4:Residential Care (1991) London: HMSO. Department for Education and Employment (1998|) Circular 10/98 ‘Section 550A Of the Education Act 1996: The Use of Force to Control or Restrain Pupils, London: HMSO Department for Education and Employment, (2001) Letter and accompanying guidance on ‘Promoting Positive Handling Strategies’ from the Head of DfEE Special Educational Needs Division to Chief Education Officers, issued on 24th April 2001. Department of Health (2001) A Safer Place: Combating Violence against Social Care Staff, Report of the National Task Force and National Action Plan, Brighton: Pavilion. Department of Health (1993) Guide on Permissible Forms of Control in Children’s Residential Care, London: Department of Health. Department of Health (2000) No Secrets: Guidance on Developing and Implementing Multi-Agency Policies and Procedures to Protect Vulnerable Adults from Abuse, London: Department of Health. Harris, J. Alan.D. Cornick, M, Jefferson, A. and Mills, R. (1996) Physical Interventions: A Policy Framework. BILD Publications (1996) Mental Health Act (1983) Code of Practice, Department of Health and Welsh Office, London: The Stationery Office (1999) 32 © Crown Copyright Produced by Department of Health 00000 1p 0.75k July 02 (XXX) CHLORINE FREE PAPER The text of this document may be reproduced without formal permission or charge for personal or in-house use. First published: July 2002 XXXXX/Guidance on the use of Restrictive Physical Interventions for staff working with children and adults who display extreme behaviour in association with learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder is available on the following websites: www.doh.gov.uk/qualityprotects/index.htm www.doh.gov.uk/learningdisabilities.htm There is also an accessible version of the guidance which is available from: British Institute of Learning Disabilities Tel: 01752 202301/01562 723010 Major extracts are also on the BILD website: www.bild.org.uk