3. What are your views on restraint?

Some young people have died whilst being controlled prone, on the floor and face down. As a result there is a great deal of concern regarding prone restraints. Prone restraints always carry a higher risk of significant harm than other interventions.

Dangers increase when pressure is placed on the child's torso or hips, the young person is obese or has experienced abuse, and when the young person has asthma or other respiratory problems.

Read our answers to three common questions on this area.

  • 1. What do young people say about them?
  • They are more likely to be seen as punishment or abuse. (Ref: SIRCC, 2005)

  • 2. Is there a legal view?
  • Any routine use is probably not defensible. Its use is questionable under the Human Rights Act 1998. It has been seen as contrary to the principle of 'least restriction' - the minimum use of force necessary for that individual and situation. (Ref: SIRCC, 2005)

  • 3. What should I do?
  • Prone restraint should not be used routinely for all young people but may occur as things happen. It should be avoided wherever possible. If it occurs turn the young person over, sit them up, even let go if safe to do so. It is only potentially defensible for individuals where there is a specific plan supported by systematic risk assessments that demonstrate that all alternatives are ineffective, or show a greater risk would occur if not used. (Ref: SIRCC, 2005)