This guidance, issued jointly by the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health, aims to ensure that staff in schools or working in health and social care settings adopt consistent practices in the use of restrictive physical interventions, based on a common set of principles.

The document considers the legal aspects of using force, makes a distinction between planned and emergency intervention, and looks at the use of prevention strategies. There is also guidance on the use of medication, how to conduct risk assessment and the procedure for recording incidents. A list of reference materials and related documents will help readers who require further information.