1. HOME-SCHOOL AGREEMENT PHYSICAL RESTRAINT

2. HOME-SCHOOL AGREEMENT What is it? What do you think this refers to, what might be the benefits and what might be the associated problems?

3. This agreement is in reality part of the Inclusion Agenda (from September 1999) And is a form of contract between schools, parents and carers. Its purpose is to state the values and aims of the school, to outline the responsibility of parents and the expectations of both school and parents with regard to each other as partners in education. Law: Home school Agreement

4. SUPPORTERS Supporters of the agreement argue that it is worthwhile to have clear, explicit statements of mutual entitlements and expectations to which all participants can subscribe. It increases the level of shared understanding and thereby strengthens the informed involvement of parents.

5. THE CONTRARY VIEW Argues that the agreement adds little of substance, since there is no legal obligation on parents to sign it and no sanction if the agreement is broken. This view is that committed and supportive parents already do what it says in the agreement whilst the agreement itself has no ‘teeth’ in relation to parents who are less supportive of the school. Signing the document cannot be a pre-condition of entry to a school or for re-instatement after exclusion.

6. PHYSICAL RESTRAINT Teachers have the right to use reasonable force to prevent pupils: Committing a criminal offence Injuring themselves or others (inc staff) Causing damage to property Engaging in behaviour prejudicial to maintaining good order and discipline And to seize prohibited items found during a search (not those items identified by individual schools)

7. The 1996 Education Act emphasises: ‘It is unlawful for the teacher to physically punish a pupil, regardless of the seriousness of the pupil’s misbehaviour or the degree of provocation. Smacking, slapping, punching or kicking are not acceptable methods of restraint. Nor is any form of physical contact that is deliberately intended to cause pain or injury, or to humiliate a pupil.’

8. The guidance in circular 10/98 specifies that: ‘Teachers can physically interpose between pupils or block a pupil’s path and can touch, hold, push, pull, lead a pupil by the arm or shepherd a pupil away by placing a hand in the centre of the back.’

9. It should be noted that there is no legal definition of ‘reasonable force’. Force is only regarded as reasonable if the situation warrants it. The degree of force employed must be in proportion to the circumstances of the incident and the seriousness of the behaviour or the consequences it is intended to prevent. Any force used should be the minimum needed to restrain the pupil.

10. A teacher is never required to intervene physically In special schools, teachers have training in safe, lawful, physical restraint techniques New legislation requires schools to record and report significant incidents and schools are required to have a policy on the use of force Warning: never give the appearance of having lost your temper or that you are acting out of anger. At all times, maintain a calm, measured authority.

11. INCIDENT STUDIES A pupil is running towards you down the corridor and ignores your instruction to stop running. You instruct a pupil who is disrupting your lesson to sit down. He says he is going home and makes to leave the classroom. Two pupils are fighting in the yard. They ignore your instruction to stop.

12. The Importance of Teaching Government Document: 2010 Stated: ‘We will strengthen and simplify the existing position and powers, ensuring that teachers feel supported and protected when they address difficult behaviour.’

13. Just remember: Physical restraint can be used when necessary, but always balance intervention with care for safety of all concerned, firstly your own. Use with care, as a last resort when you have decided that the matter cannot be resolved using other strategies, and only if there is a real threat to the welfare of yourself, other pupils, injury to themselves, or a threat to good order and escalation of disruption jeopardising discipline. From September 2010, the law requires us to record and report (to parents and in some instances the LA) all incidences of restraint.