Safeguarding Network Twilight: Understanding the New DfE Guidance on Restraint and Reasonable Force
Join us for a focused Twilight session delivered in collaboration with the Safeguarding Network, exploring the Department for Education’s newly updated guidance on the use of restraint and reasonable force in schools. With the revised statutory guidance coming into effect from April 2026, this session will unpack what the changes mean for everyday practice, leadership responsibilities, and safeguarding culture.
This will highlight key updates including the strengthened emphasis on prevention, de‑escalation, proportionality, and the requirement that any use of force must be necessary, lawful, and used for the minimum time required. We’ll also examine the new statutory duty for schools to record and report every incident involving restrictive intervention to parents, ensuring transparency and accountability across all settings.
This session will support staff in understanding:
- When and how restrictive interventions may be used safely and appropriately
- The legal powers and responsibilities of school staff
- Expectations around training, incident recording, and post-incident support
- Considerations for pupils with SEND and those most vulnerable to disproportionate impact
Whether you are a classroom practitioner across all year groups, pastoral leader, Senior Leaders or part of the wider safeguarding team, this session will equip you with the clarity and confidence needed to implement the new guidance effectively while continuing to prioritise pupil welfare and positive behaviour approaches.