1.4. Explain who needs to be informed of any incidents where restrictive interventions have been used

This guide will help you answer 1.4. Explain who needs to be informed of any incidents where restrictive interventions have been used.

When restrictive interventions are used in a setting involving children and young people, it’s necessary to inform the correct individuals and groups. Informing the right people ensures transparency, helps safeguard the wellbeing of the child, and ensures compliance with regulations.

Parents or Carers

Parents or carers play a key role in the life of any child or young person. They have a legal and moral right to know about any incidents where restrictive interventions were used on their child. This is particularly important since restrictive interventions can be a distressing experience for the child.

Parents should be informed promptly and provided with:

• A description of the incident.
• The reasons the intervention was necessary.
• Steps taken to support the child afterwards.

Communicating openly with parents builds trust and strengthens relationships. It also allows parents or carers to seek further support for their child, if needed.

The Child or Young Person

The child or young person affected by the restrictive intervention should also understand what has happened, depending on their age and understanding. Explaining the situation in clear and age-appropriate terms helps them process the event and feel respected.

During this conversation, focus on:

• Using simple language to describe what happened.
• Giving the child a chance to express their feelings.
• Offering reassurance and discussing how similar incidents can be avoided in the future.

This step is vital to help the child feel safe and supported.

Line Managers and Supervisors

Informing your line manager or supervisor is a key part of maintaining accountability. It enables those in charge to:

• Review the incident to ensure proper procedures were followed.
• Provide additional support if further action is needed.
• Ensure all records are completed correctly.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring appropriate interventions were used and can provide guidance for future incidents.

Colleagues Directly Involved

Staff who were present during the incident or directly involved in the intervention need to be informed. Sharing information with colleagues ensures that everyone involved understands what happened and can reflect on the event. This kind of reflection promotes improvements in practice and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Parents, the team, and the child themselves can all feel more at ease if they know staff are working together to learn from the incident.

Safeguarding and Compliance Teams

Most organisations have safeguarding officers or compliance teams. These individuals ensure that restrictive interventions are reported and monitored properly. By informing the safeguarding team, you help ensure that:

• The intervention was within the policy and guidelines.
• Any patterns that suggest higher risks are identified.
• Training needs or policy changes are highlighted.

This step helps organisations create a safer environment for children and young people.

Regulatory Bodies

Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to report incidents to external regulatory bodies. In England, organisations in children’s services are typically inspected by Ofsted or similar bodies. Reporting incidents where restrictive interventions have been used ensures the organisation remains compliant with legal and professional standards.

Incidents must often be reported if they:

• Involve serious physical harm.
• Represent a breach of regulations or guidelines.

Examples of external reporting may include referral to local authorities, children’s services, or health and social care bodies.

Parents’ Advocates or Legal Representatives

In some cases, a child’s parents or guardians may involve advocacy groups or legal representatives. While this may not always be needed, ensuring these advocates are informed and have access to incident reports offers transparency and protects the rights of the child and family.

This step might include:

• Providing detailed incident logs.
• Sharing behavioural support plans, if one exists.
• Outlining measures the organisation will take to prevent further incidents.

Special Education Needs (SEN) Coordinators

If the child or young person has special educational needs, informing the SEN coordinator in your setting is vital. SEN coordinators ensure that any interventions align with the child’s individual plan. They can:

• Update the child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or behaviour management strategies.
• Communicate with parents and teachers to address any long-term implications.
• Consider whether additional support, equipment, or resources are needed.

Working with SEN coordinators promotes better outcomes for children with additional needs.

Healthcare Professionals

If the child is receiving medical, occupational, emotional or behavioural support, it might be necessary to inform healthcare professionals involved in their care. This could include:

• Social workers.
• Child psychologists.
• Occupational therapists.
• Physiotherapists.

Sharing information ensures that restrictive interventions do not interfere with the child’s treatment or progress in other areas.

Police or Emergency Services (if applicable)

In rare circumstances, police or emergency services may have been involved in the incident, especially if there was a risk of harm to the child, staff, or others. If this is the case, clear documentation should also be provided to these authorities.

Maintaining compliance with legal requirements helps protect both the organisation and the individuals involved in the intervention.

Internal Recording and Servicing Teams

Most organisations have systems for recording incidents. Informing the correct teams about restrictive interventions ensures that accurate records are maintained. These records support audits, reviews, and training aimed at reducing incidents in the future.

Make sure these records include key details, such as:

• Date, time, and location of the incident.
• Names and roles of staff and children involved.
• Description of the restrictive intervention.
• Follow-up actions taken afterward.

Such detailed records contribute to organisational learning and improvement.

Unions or Employee Support Groups

Care workers can face stress or uncertainty over incidents of restrictive intervention. Informing unions or employee support groups, when appropriate, allows staff to receive guidance and make sense of their actions in accordance with workplace policies and laws.

Ensuring these groups are kept informed supports a positive work environment and reassures staff that they acted within their role.

Meeting Legal and Ethical Obligations

Restrictive interventions often fall under strict regulatory and ethical guidelines. Informing the right people ensures you comply with:

• The Children Act 1989, which prioritises the welfare of the child.
• Behaviour management policies specific to the organisation.
• Guidance issued by government and other statutory bodies.

Failure to do so risks the safety of children and staff, as well as the legal standing of the organisation.

Final Thoughts

The use of restrictive interventions can be distressing and impacts many people. Keeping everyone informed—parents, children, managers, safeguarding teams, and professional bodies—helps to protect the child and prevent recurrence. Open communication supports learning, ensures compliance, and builds trust with families, staff, and wider organisations.