Serious disorder, property damage and injury: understanding the thresholds for force
Reasonable force may be used to prevent injury, a criminal offence, property damage or serious disorder, and the post explains why these are thresholds requiring necessity and proportionality rather than general permission.
Why “no-contact” policies can put schools at risk
A headteacher asked whether staff should never touch pupils. The 2026 DfE guidance says blanket no-contact policies are wrong, and four problems follow, starting with confusion between avoiding risk and managing it.
Seclusion is not a sanction: what the 2026 guidance means for safe spaces
The 2026 guidance treats seclusion as a safety measure only, never punishment, and the post separates voluntary regulation space, directed time away and seclusion, urging schools to define each clearly in policy.
Necessary, proportionate, shortest time: the decision test school staff need to practise
Reasonable force must be necessary, proportionate and brief, and the post turns that phrase into four questions staff can rehearse, drawing on Gary Klein’s work on decisions made under pressure.
Legal Implications of Using Physical Intervention in Schools
Physical intervention is a last resort, and schools must show it is lawful, safe and proportionate. Where staff have had no positive handling training, action against a teacher afterwards carries serious legal risk.
Inquiry mentions Foster Carer Training in Conflict and Physical Interventions
An inquiry into Dawn McKenzie’s death put training for foster carers first among its recommendations. Conflict communication and physical intervention should come early in a fostering career and be repeated later.
Allegations and Teachers’ rights to Use Force
Deputy head Royden Cope restrained a violent pupil, was prosecuted for assault, then cleared. DfE guidance says all school staff may use reasonable force to prevent harm or maintain order.
TCI Therapeutic Crisis Intervention used on 16-year old killed in care
Corey Foster, 16, died after school staff used a Therapeutic Crisis Intervention hold on him. The post sets out UK guidance against prone holds, neck holds and anything that restricts breathing.
Sacked School Worker Wins £70,000 Compensation From Tribunal
A former head of care was dismissed for taking a teenager by the arm at a school for children with behavioural difficulties. A tribunal found no wrongdoing and awarded him £70,950.