School ordered to end use of physical restraint

A school for boys with behavioural difficulties has been warned to end its use of physical restraint on pupils.

The Care Inspectorate said it had "serious and significant" concerns over the safety of students at Hillside School in Aberdour, Fife.

A report by the watchdog found staff had used "high risk holds" on children in their care.

A spokesperson for the school said it was "working towards necessary improvements".

Hillside offers residential support to boys aged between 10 and 18 with behavioural and emotional difficulties.

An improvement notice setting out a list of recommendations was issued on Monday.

Restraint and seclusion, which involves locking someone in a room or safe space, have often been used in educational settings involving children with disabilities and additional support needs.

However, staff are not supposed to use the technique “unless it is the only practicable means of securing the welfare” of a child.

'High risk holds'

The Care Inspectorate ordered the school to review “approved restraint techniques” and the “impact that high risk holds have on the children and young people”.

They added that all instances of restraint should be recorded and incidents of improper use “dealt with appropriately”.

A spokesperson for the body said improvements must be made by 16 February, while an evaluation and inspection procedure was ongoing.

They added: “We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for young people, their families and staff at the service.

“Because of our concerns about the safety of young people we have issued an Improvement Notice to the service. This sets out the significant improvements that must be made within a specified timeframe.

“We are working closely with partners including relevant local authorities and Education Scotland to ensure that young people experience appropriate care during this difficult time."

Calum's Law

The school was also criticised for its level and quality of staffing and its lack of “scrutiny and oversight” of care provision.

A consultation on a Bill to make guidelines on physical restraint legally enforceable ended in September last year.

“Calum’s Law” would make the recording and reporting of all instances of restraint mandatory.

It followed a campaign by the mother of Calum Morrison, who lost consciousness while still at primary school when he was restrained on the floor by four adults.

A spokesperson for Hillside School said: “Hillside School is committed to make the necessary improvements detailed in the Care Inspectorate’s Improvement Notice.

“We are grateful to the Care Inspectorate for their ongoing support.

“Hillside School will work towards meeting all of the specified improvements in the required timescales.”