Guidance

Guidance for inspectors and providers on using restraint, physical intervention and restrictions of liberty

Enabling providers to create positive environments where children can flourish.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 23 March 2018
• Last updated: 3 November 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 3 November 2026

     Updated to reflect new DfE guidance on the use of restraint and restrictive practices in schools. This page was previously titled 'Positive environments where children can flourish'.

  2. 6 October 2021

     Guidance updated to explain the importance of protecting and promoting children’s rights; recognise that restraint negatively impacts children’s mental health and well-being and highlight the importance of taking positive steps to understand children’s communication, and to identify triggers for and problem-solve difficult situations by taking positive steps to defuse situations. Includes information about how inspectors will explore the culture of the residential setting or school through an understanding of the role of leaders in overseeing staff practice and outcomes for children. Added links to guidance on managing restraints in secure training centres and under-18 young offender institutions and on reducing the need for restraint and restrictive intervention.

  3. 23 March 2018

     First published.

Documents

Guidance for inspectors and providers on using restraint, physical intervention and restrictions of liberty

HTML

Details

Inspectors use this guidance to evaluate how those working in education and care provision create a positive environment where children can live and learn, and where staff interact positively with children. This guidance applies to all inspections.