MSPs commend campaigners and back Bill to minimise use of restraint in schools

A Holyrood committee has hailed campaigners as it backed proposals to minimise the use of restraint and seclusion in Scotland’s schools.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson introduced the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Bill which aims to make the use of restraint and seclusion of children and young people in schools a last resort.

Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People Committee has unanimously supported the general principles of the Bill.

The work of individual campaigners and parents Beth Morrison and Kate Sanger was praised by committee convener Douglas Ross.

Ms Sanger has been campaigning on the issue for more than a decade, along with fellow parent Ms Morrison.

Ms Morrison’s son was restrained at school in 2010, leaving him “traumatised” and with more than 60 bruises on his body.

Mr Ross said: “We unanimously support the general principles of this Bill, which will be a vital tool in ensuring the safety of children and young people in Scotland’s schools.

“Our committee heard disturbing evidence about the use of restraint and seclusion. This practice is being carried out inconsistently and, worryingly, sometimes parents are not even aware restraint and seclusion have been used.

“Scotland needs a consistent approach, which makes restraint and seclusion a last resort. That’s why it’s important that this Bill becomes law.

“There is still some work to be done to ensure the Bill fully achieves its aims, however we must commend the campaigners, including Beth Morrison and Kate Sanger, for raising this issue in Parliament, and Daniel Johnson MSP, who brought forward this much-needed Bill.”

The Bill would make sure legal guidelines are followed in circumstances where restraint and seclusion must be used.

This includes informing parents or carers if their child is subject to restraint and seclusion.

The committee’s report recommends improvements to the Bill, including refining the definitions of restraint and seclusion to avoid any ambiguity or unintended consequences, and ensuring same day informing on the use of restraint and seclusion for parents or carers.

Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson said: “I’m really pleased to see this morning that the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee unanimously back the approach and general principles of my Bill in their report. I wish to thank them for their diligent work.

“This has taken a huge amount of work – but thanks must also go to activists Beth Morrison and Kate Sanger – this would not be possible without their tireless work over the past decade and beyond.

“What is clear is that more needs to be done to protect children in Scotland from incidents of restraint and seclusion and with this report, the Scottish Government’s support, as well as backing from MSPs across the chamber, I am confident that we can pass my Bill into law before Parliament’s dissolution at the end of March.”