Restraint of children: The Promise Scotland Publishes Briefing ahead of Stage 1 debate

The Stage 1 debate for the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill will take place in Parliament today.

Ahead of the debate, we’ve put together the following briefing:

Key points in our briefing

The Promise Scotland strongly supports the Bill’s key principles

We strongly support the key principles of this Bill, which aligns with the recommendations of the Independent Care Review and will ensure Scotland moves closer towards keeping the promise. The Independent Care Review concluded that Scotland must strive to become a nation that does not restrain its children.

The Promise Scotland urges all MSPs to support this Bill at Stage 1 and beyond

We urge all MSPs to support this Bill at Stage 1 and beyond, in line with their broader commitment to keeping the promise by 2030.

We also seek assurance that further steps will be taken by the Scottish Government to take a similar approach in all settings where children are.

Amendments can significantly strengthen the Bill at Stage 2

There are opportunities to significantly strengthen the Bill through a number of amendments at Stage 2 (outlined below), including:

• A strong preventative focus and cultural change
• Support for the workforce with supervision, reflective practice, and wellbeing supports.

Plan 24-30: Rights and restraint Route Map

Plan 24-30 sets out actions and milestones to keep the promise around restraint, especially under the following outcome on the rights and restraint route map:

Scotland upholds children’s right to safety, dignity and relational support in all settings.

Scotland is a nation that does not restrain its children unless in exceptional circumstances, and when it is unavoidable it is co-regulated, trauma-informed, lawful, recorded and used only to keep a child safe. The workforce are nurtured and supported, recognising their needs in this.

Consistent definitions, safeguards and leadership cultures grounded in care and rights ensure restraint and seclusion is continuously reduced and monitored across all settings.