§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers have undergone training in approved restraint procedures. [47885]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThis information is not available.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines his Department has issued to schools on the training of teachers in approved restraint procedures. [47886]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe Department has not issued any specific guidance about this. We intend to issue guidance to schools in July about the provisions of Section 550A of the Education Act 1996 which comes into force on 1 September. That clarifies the powers teachers have to use reasonable force to control or restrain pupils. Amongst other things, the guidance will discuss the circumstances in which physical intervention might be appropriate, and the factors teachers should bear in mind when deciding whether to intervene. We are also considering guidance to assist staff in choosing strategies for restraining pupils who present challenging behaviour and may have special educational needs.