Download Control Discipline and Restraint Policy

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CONTROL, DISCIPLINE AND RESTRAINT POLICY
One of the basic needs of children is that of security, and security comes in childhood years from the
knowledge that the adults around them are dependable, confident people who can control difficult
situations and who are able to set boundaries. Foster carers must be clear as to what they are and be
consistent about the limits set for children and young people in their care.
If carers are confident and clear about their role, then the children and young people will feel more
secure and therefore be less likely to go on testing out limits.
Control is most effectively maintained not by the use of negative methods like the administration of
punishment, but by the personality and confidence of the carer and the quality of relationships that exist
between the carer and child. If the relationship is good, then the child will be less likely to risk incurring
the displeasure or disapproval of the carer.
Carers, fortunately, are not saints and children can arouse feelings of anger in them. It is appropriate at
times to let children experience this anger and to let them know why the carer is feeling this way. Carers
should however, as adults, be able to look at their emotional responses to children and work out why
they react in this way.
Fostering Relations forbid the use of physical chastisement. Carers have to devise other methods of
coping with children’s challenging behaviour. Quite clearly, children and young people have to know
what is acceptable and what is not, and this means reasoning with them with a view to enabling them to
see the effect their bchallengingbehaviour has on other people.
It is not always possible or indeed desirable to discuss the matter if the child is angry, resentful or
uptight, but an early opportunity should be sought to do so when they are in a more receptive frame of
mind.
Children and young people can be physically and/ or verbally abusive towards foster carers. This is one
of the occupational hazards of the job and it is important that it is handled professionally. It may be
necessary on occasion, for carers to physically hold a child. This should only be done to protect them
from injuring themselves or others. Methods used to restrain children should not involve hurting them or
indeed hurting the carer holding them. Our ethos is built on a belief of positive reinforcement and
physical intervention is not acceptable except where the child is in danger or a danger to others. In the
main, de escalation should be the main aim. (Please see guidelines on restraint later in this policy).
Carers have to remain calm and objective in the face of personal attack and try not to take it too
personally. Young people in care often bear a lot of resentment towards parents or others who have let
them down. If these adults are not accessible then they tend to ventilate their angry feelings on those
closest to them, i.e. carers. It is not easy to turn the other cheek in the face of a personal attack, but to
react in the same way as the child only serves to reinforce his/ her aggressive way of dealing with his
problems. Carers have to try to modify ways of handling anger.
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In the event that there is an incident, it must be fully recorded in your log book contemporaneously and
made aware to your supervising social worker or on call social worker as soon as possible, preferably
the same day. If the incident is serious please refer to the Agency’s “critical Incident Reporting Policy”.
Unacceptable behaviour has to be checked and the young person has to know that the carer finds it
unacceptable. It is essential however, to condemn the behaviour without rejecting the person displaying
it. This is important as the child has to feel valued as a person. While at the same time made aware that
his behaviour is unacceptable to those around him/ her.
Sanctions may have to be used on occasion. Sanctions are mostly restricted to withdrawal of privileges.
It is necessary to ensure that their use is appropriate and commensurate.
In general, it is more effective to reward good behaviour than punish the bad. Carers should be on the
alert for the positive things the child does and ensure this is adequately rewarded e.g. by praise, extra
outing etc
Children and young people must never be deprived of food as a punishment. Pocket money can be
docked to pay for deliberate damage to property – e.g. broken windows – but caution should be
exercised in the use of this sanction for other reasons.
Some difficult situations can be avoided if carers are alert enough to notice that a child or young person is
heading for a confrontation. This is where diversion tactics can be employed. Find something else for the
child or young person to do or give them the extra attention they may need. Carers can all expect to
receive mandatory training in de-escalation and dealing with conflict. Anger Management training is also
available.
A final note: People are not infallible and carers sometimes do things which afterwards prove to be in
error. In these situations, they should not be afraid to admit to children that they were wrong. Being
honest with children can help them to be honest with adults. Apologising to children for mistakes made is
an acknowledgement that children have feelings too which can be hurt. If adults really value children as
people, then they will repair the damage done and help put the child back together again.
GUIDELINES FOR CARERS AND STAFF ON DEALING WITH RESTRAINT
AND DISCIPLINE GENERALLY
RESTRAINT
It is the policy of Fostering Relations to use any form of physical restraint as a last resort measure in
situations where a child or young person’s actions are placing them or other people in danger.
Measures of control must be proportionate to the age of the child, consistent with safe care practices and
with respect to the young person’s basic human rights. Every effort should be made to use non-physical
interventions and only revert to restraint when all other measures fail.
Restraint is the term commonly used for holding or confining a young person to effectively deal with
behaviours described above.
The Regulations clarify that only minimum physical action will be taken when all other methods of deescalation fails. All Fostering Relations staff and carers receive training on de-escalation and dealing
with conflict. Attendances at these courses are a mandatory requirement of carers continuing approval.
Any holding or restraining must not be unduly heavy handed. Nor should it be seen to deliberately
humiliate or belittle the young person as this is likely to exacerbate the problem. Your task is to restore
control and keep everyone safe in a sensitive and child friendly way.
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If you have to restrain or hold a young person do so only for as long as is absolutely necessary. Where
possible, hold the child in such a way as to promote safety and communication, stay calm and talk to the
child in a calm manner all the time explaining that your restraint will be released when they calm down
It is important for carers to note restraint events in the log book and notify the placing social worker and
supervising social worker the same day.
Should an incident be considered serious enough to call the Police then this should be considered a
“critical incident” and the Critical Incident Reporting Policy needs to be involved. Your Fostering
Relations social worker will help you in this report.
This policy/guideline does not exclude the use of physical control of very young children with little sense
of danger to themselves or others. It does however offer guidelines on how to restrain children or young
people who may be for example self harming, violent or causing serious destruction.
GUIDELINES ON ACCEPTABLE SANCTIONS
In training, carers will be helped to develop a good sense of realistic expectations about acceptable
behaviour and the consequences for looked after children if their behaviour is clearly unacceptable.
Children will make a clearer connection between actions and consequences if the sanction is applied as
soon to the event as possible. The use of any of the sanctions listed below should be fully discussed with
your supervising social worker.
Fostering Relations accepts the following range of sanctions:
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Temporary withdrawal of treats and privileges e.g. not allowed to see favourite T.V.
programme, play-station, comic, cooking up a meal etc.
Pay back from pocket money for damage caused.
Ask the child/young person to apologise and to reflect on the consequences for them and
everyone else.
Reparation by doing extra chores.
Early bed time (but only up to ½ hour early).
Ask the young person to take time out from association with others in the household (no longer than
15 minutes).
Grounding – ensuring this is proportionate to the issue.
Changes or reduction of planned activities, e.g. delay a trip to the park, spend less time at the
shops or sports activity.
Signed…………………………………………………………………….Registered Manager
Date: February 2017
Review Date: February 2018
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