The recent summary of guidance on the use of force in schools restates the current situation in simple terms.

The summary use of force in schools guidance issued this month helps give confidence to teachers on the use of force, but some examples might expose staff and children to unnecessary danger says Tim Cooke, children’s services specialist with conflict management consultants Maybo.

 

“The guidance is welcome,” says Cooke, a chartered psychologist. “However, I am concerned about the examples of the use of reasonable force that include “to ensure that a pupil leaves a classroom where the pupil persistently refuses to follow an instruction to do so”. This is a difficult judgment call for staff, and to help them make this accurately and safely, there should be support and guidance for staff on making a decision on individual circumstances. This means understanding and using appropriate dynamic risk assessment.  

 

“The guidance should also go much further and should recommend that all staff should have skills in conflict prevention and resolution.”

 

The guidance recommends: “Schools need to make their own decisions about which staff need training in the use of force and what the training should be.“

 

“It is important for schools to ensure they have good reporting systems so they are able to make decisions on what training is needed and invest time in to making it happen,” he adds.