PART 5Requirements on local authority providers - safeguarding
The appropriate use of control and restraint21
1
The local authority provider must have a policy and procedures in place on the use of control or restraint.
2
The policy and procedures must prohibit care and support being provided in a way which includes acts intended to control or restrain a child unless those acts—
a
are necessary to prevent a risk of harm posed to the child or other persons or likely serious damage to property, and
b
are a proportionate response to such a risk.
3
The policy and procedures must require foster parents to be trained in any methods of control or restraint to be used.
4
The policy and procedures must require foster parents to—
a
make a record of any incident in which control or restraint is used, and
b
notify the local authority provider of any such incident within 24 hours.
5
The local authority provider must ensure that any control or restraint used by foster parents is carried out in accordance with these policies and procedures.
6
For the purposes of this regulation, a person controls or restrains a child if that person—
a
uses, or threatens to use, force to secure the doing of an act which the child resists, or
b
restricts the child's liberty of movement, whether or not the child resists, including by the use of physical, mechanical or chemical means.