Restrictive practices in schools

Restrictive practices in schools 

13:00 - 16:00 | Monday 13 March 2023

We are delighted to invite you to our hybrid seminar on Restrictive practices in schools to discuss whether it is possible to abolish restraints of children in schools and if yes, how parliament can amend the relevant laws and policies.

On 16 February 2023, the Department for Education announced a consultation on ‘the use of reasonable force and restrictive practices in schools’.

Lawyers from Irwin Mitchell and Doughty Street Chambers represent young people, and their parents, who have been subjected to restrictive practices in school. They have advised campaigning organisations that seek to change the law to ban restraints and restrictive practices in schools, which disproportionally affects autistic children and young people.

Programme

1pm to 1.15pm - Introduction by Rebecca Gillespie and Angela Jackman KC (Hon), Irwin Mitchell LLP

1.15pm – 1.45pm - Case studies by ICARS

1.45pm – 2.15pm – Working with autistic children and children with learning disabilities without using restraint - Gareth Morewood, Studio III

2.15pm – 2.30pm - Coffee break

2.30pm – 3pm - Speaker – Alexis Quinn, Restraint Reduction Network

3pm – 3.40pm - Break out groups

3.40pm – 4pm - Questions and closing: Oliver Lewis, Doughty Street Chambers

We are opening the seminar to young persons and their parents/guardians, teachers from mainstream and special schools, teaching unions, educational experts, child and adolescent mental health professionals with an interest in reducing restrictive practices.