Consultation outcome

Use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance: proposed amendments

From:
Department for Education
Published
4 February 2025
Last updated
18 December 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions: government consultation response

PDF, 436 KB, 27 pages

Detail of outcome

A summary of responses received and the government’s response to the consultation and next steps.

Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on proposed changes to the use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance for England.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

DfE plans to update the use of reasonable force guidance (2013) and commence legislation which mandates schools to record and report each significant incident where force is used.

This consultation seeks views on proposed revisions to the use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance. The revised guidance will aim to:

  • clarify the use of reasonable force to help school staff use this power safely and appropriately
  • help schools use prevention and de-escalation strategies to minimise the need to use reasonable force and other restrictive interventions

Updates to this page

Published 4 February 2025
Last updated 18 December 2025 show all updates

  1. Added the consultation response.

  2. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page