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Child custody restraint rethink Child custody restraint rethink
(about 1 hour later)
The government has promised a £4.9m "overhaul" of the way restraint techniques are used on children in custody in England and Wales.The government has promised a £4.9m "overhaul" of the way restraint techniques are used on children in custody in England and Wales.
But force may still be used in "exceptional circumstances", it says.But force may still be used in "exceptional circumstances", it says.
Ministers acted after independent experts described reports by inmates of unauthorised violent methods, that they said amounted to "assault" by staff.Ministers acted after independent experts described reports by inmates of unauthorised violent methods, that they said amounted to "assault" by staff.
Their review was set up after criticism at the inquests of two teenagers who died at secure centres.Their review was set up after criticism at the inquests of two teenagers who died at secure centres.
The report, by social services professionals Peter Smallridge and Andrew Williamson, found six children needed hospital treatment for serious injuries last year after being restrained.The report, by social services professionals Peter Smallridge and Andrew Williamson, found six children needed hospital treatment for serious injuries last year after being restrained.
It said centres had not been held "sufficiently accountable" for their use of violent restraint techniques.It said centres had not been held "sufficiently accountable" for their use of violent restraint techniques.
Earlier this year, MPs and peers on the Joint Human Rights Committee demanded an end to the use of painful restraint methods on youngsters.Earlier this year, MPs and peers on the Joint Human Rights Committee demanded an end to the use of painful restraint methods on youngsters.
They had suggested some permitted techniques also contravened the UN guideline stating that restraint "should not involve the deliberate infliction of pain as a form of control". Occasionally it is necessary to use restraint as a last resort to protect other young people and staff Children's Minister Beverley HughesThey had suggested some permitted techniques also contravened the UN guideline stating that restraint "should not involve the deliberate infliction of pain as a form of control". Occasionally it is necessary to use restraint as a last resort to protect other young people and staff Children's Minister Beverley Hughes
But the review found "widespread acceptance that it is sometimes necessary to use force to restrain young people in the secure estate, particularly when failing to do so would place a young person or others in danger," the Ministry of Justice said.But the review found "widespread acceptance that it is sometimes necessary to use force to restrain young people in the secure estate, particularly when failing to do so would place a young person or others in danger," the Ministry of Justice said.
Key findings and recommendations of the review included:Key findings and recommendations of the review included:
In exceptional circumstances, it may be appropriate to use "pain compliance" restraint techniques to ensure staff and children's safety.
  • All staff should have consistent and comprehensive training in the awareness of risk factors in restraint, the monitoring of warning signs in young people and the need to take action quickly.
  • Certain restraint techniques, including the "double basket" hold, should be permanently banned.
In exceptional circumstances, it may be appropriate to use "pain compliance" restraint techniques to ensure staff and children's safety.
  • All staff should have consistent and comprehensive training in the awareness of risk factors in restraint, the monitoring of warning signs in young people and the need to take action quickly.
  • Certain restraint techniques, including the "double basket" hold, should be permanently banned.
Use of this technique, which involves holding someone with their arms crossed behind their back, was suspended last year along with a jab to the septum under the child's nose.Use of this technique, which involves holding someone with their arms crossed behind their back, was suspended last year along with a jab to the septum under the child's nose.
It followed the inquest into the death of Adam Rickwood, 14, who killed himself shortly after the latter method was used on him in 2004.It followed the inquest into the death of Adam Rickwood, 14, who killed himself shortly after the latter method was used on him in 2004.
Gareth Myatt, 15, died after three officers held him in another type of restraint method known as a "seated double embrace".Gareth Myatt, 15, died after three officers held him in another type of restraint method known as a "seated double embrace".
The government says it will implement most of the recommendations in the experts' report.The government says it will implement most of the recommendations in the experts' report.
It will also undertake a two-year programme to "address concerns, remedy problems, and introduce greater consistency" at Young Offender Institutions, secure training centres and secure care homes.It will also undertake a two-year programme to "address concerns, remedy problems, and introduce greater consistency" at Young Offender Institutions, secure training centres and secure care homes.
'Last resort''Last resort'
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said: "Our priority is to ensure rigorous safeguarding for young people in custody.Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said: "Our priority is to ensure rigorous safeguarding for young people in custody.
"The independent chairs of the review have balanced the need for appropriate safeguards and monitoring with an acceptance that occasionally it is necessary to use restraint as a last resort to protect other young people and staff.""The independent chairs of the review have balanced the need for appropriate safeguards and monitoring with an acceptance that occasionally it is necessary to use restraint as a last resort to protect other young people and staff."
In Northern Ireland, government recommendations are likely to remain "broadly in step" with those in England and Wales. However, the Scottish government says that pain compliance is "not an acceptable practice" and restraint is only used as a last resort.In Northern Ireland, government recommendations are likely to remain "broadly in step" with those in England and Wales. However, the Scottish government says that pain compliance is "not an acceptable practice" and restraint is only used as a last resort.
Martin Narey, chief executive of Barnardo's, said more needed to be done to avoid the need to use restraints and that the government should aim to have fewer children in custody. Adam Rickwood's mother Carol Pounder said she was "disgusted" the review advocated the continued use of force.
"At home parents are not allowed to use any kind of force against their children. Why are children in custody treated differently?"
Martin Narey, chief executive of Barnardo's, said the government should aim to have fewer children in custody.
"There is an over-reliance on the use of physical control in the secure estate and we believe that the strategies for reducing its use could and should be more robust," he added."There is an over-reliance on the use of physical control in the secure estate and we believe that the strategies for reducing its use could and should be more robust," he added.
NSPCC head of policy and public affairs Diana Sutton said it was disappointing the Government was not protecting children completely from pain-reliant restraint techniques.NSPCC head of policy and public affairs Diana Sutton said it was disappointing the Government was not protecting children completely from pain-reliant restraint techniques.
"These techniques can cause physical and psychological damage to children," she added."These techniques can cause physical and psychological damage to children," she added.