Physical Intervention Policy

Rationale

Physical punishments are not acceptable in the nursery. It is crucial that all staff, students, and so on understand what constitutes circumstances where physical intervention may be appropriate.

Alternatives to physical intervention

It is important to consider alternatives to using physical intervention such as:

Ø withdrawing other children or adults from the situation;

Ø using distraction techniques and re-directing the child’s attention;

Ø make the environment as safe as possible to avoid a child causing injury to themselves or a member of staff.

Physical intervention should never be used as a substitute for good behaviour management.

Using physical intervention

If physical intervention is seen as necessary to manage a situation, ensure that the intervention is carried out with minimum force and for minimum time. Situations in which physical intervention might be appropriate may be to prevent a child from doing, or continuing to do any of the following:

Ÿ injuring themselves or others;

Ÿ causing damage to property.

The relevant issues which must be taken into account:

Ÿ The degree of force must be proportionate to the circumstances and incident, and seriousness of the event, (or the consequences it is intended to prevent) it should always be the minimum needed to achieve the desired result; (it may also depend on the age and understanding of the child).

Ÿ Use of force is only reasonable if particular circumstances warrant it, otherwise it is could be seen as assault / child abuse; it therefore follows that it should not be used for situations that can be resolved without it, or for trivial misdemeanours.

Practical considerations

Ÿ Before intervening, where practicable, tell the child to stop misbehaving, with a warning of what will happen if they do not.

Ÿ The responsible adult should attempt to communicate with the child throughout the incident. Physical force cannot be justified to prevent a child from committing trivial misdemeanour or in situations that clearly can be resolved without force.

Ÿ Adults should always avoid touching or holding a child in a way that might be considered indecent. In exceptional circumstances, when there is an immediate risk of injury, e.g. to prevent a child running on to a busy road, hitting someone or throwing something) staff may need to take any necessary action that is consistent with the concept of ’reasonable force’.

Adults in charge should take a clam, measured approach to a situation, and never give the impression that they have lost their temper, or are acting out of anger, frustration, or punish the child.

Unacceptable physical intervention

Nursery staff should never act in a way that could cause injury to a child and be deemed as assault / child abuse. Any person who carries out any of the following to manage a child’s behaviour would be committing a disciplinary offence and action would be taken. Such inappropriate action includes:

Ÿ Shaking a child;

Ÿ holding a child around the neck or in any way that might restrict breathing;

Ÿ Slapping, punching, kicking, tripping or forcing limbs against a joint;

Ÿ Holding or pulling a child by the hair;

Ÿ Holding a child face down on the ground.

Recording incidents

Immediately following an incident where physical intervention is used the adult should tell the Nursery Manager or senior member of staff in charge. They must then fill in a Physical Intervention Log Form as soon as possible afterwards. This may help to prevent any misunderstanding, and will be helpful should there be a complaint. The nursery keeps a Physical Intervention Log File in the centre office.

The essential details which need to be kept concise and accurate should be recorded, (see separate log sheet containing layout). The written report should include:

Ÿ The name(s) of the (s) involved;

Ÿ Where and when the incident took place;

Ÿ The names of any staff or others who witnessed the incident;

Ÿ The reason that physical intervention was necessary;

Ÿ How the incident had progressed, including details of: the child’s behaviour and what was said by each of the parties, the steps taken to calm/defuse the situation and the degree of force used, how it was applied and for how long;

Ÿ The child’s response and the outcome of the incident;

Ÿ Details of any injury suffered by the child, another child or member of staff / other adult.

Ÿ Details of any damage to property.

Ÿ Further action/outcome of discussion with parent(s).

When compiling the report, staff might find it helpful to seek advice from a senior colleague or representative of their professional association. They should keep a copy of the report.

Parents should be informed of the incident, when they collect their child/ren and given the opportunity to discuss it with senior staff members. Parents will be asked to sign the log sheet and given a copy. If parents refuse to sign the log sheet this should be recorded on the form and the Nursery Manager informed.

The possibility of a complaint

The best way of avoiding complaints is to involve the parents when incidents occur, and by following the clear guidelines provided above. Use of force might lead to an investigation either under disciplinary procedures or child protection procedures, possibly leading to a disciplinary hearing, criminal prosecution or civil action. The key issue will be whether the degree of force was reasonable in all the circumstances of the case, and whether the nursery’s policy has been followed, and whether the action was needed to prevent factors such as: injury, accident or damage.

Conclusion

All staff, students, volunteers and so on understand what constitutes circumstances where physical intervention may be appropriate and need to be clearly aware of the procedures laid down. The policy should be seen in the wider context of the Nursery’s Behaviour Policy, which aims to promote positive values and good behaviour by encouraging and supporting. Staff need to ensure that they plan well to avoid incidents and undertake suitable behaviour management training.

© 2010

Watcombe Children’s Centre Nursery

Physical Intervention Log

Name of person completing Log ____________________

Role ________________________________

Time ________________________________ Date _______________

Incident Location:

Who was involved?

Witnesses: Name and address ____________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

How did the incident start? Reason for use of reasonable force:

What happened next?

What was the outcome?

Details of any injury or damage to the person’s property:

Further action/outcome of discussion with parent(s):

Signature of person completing log_________________________________

Parent/s Signature/s_____________________________

Date _________________

Witness to incident ______________________________

Date ________________