British Institute of Learning Disabilities bids to cut restraint

The British Institute of Learning Disabilities has published a book it hopes will lead to less physical restraint being used on people with challenging behaviour.

The publication uses new evidence to show that restrictive practices – including chemical and mechanical restraint and seclusion – are being used by practitioners more than is necessary because they do not have effective plans in place to prevent behaviour from getting out of control.

“More people are being physically restrained or secluded because practitioners do not have an effective positive behaviour support plan that assesses the causes of behaviour so that staff understand why challenging behaviour occurs and can manage it before physical intervention is needed,” said Sharon Paley, co-author of ‘Ethical Approaches to Physical Interventions, volume II – Changing the Agenda’.

She added that the problem was not helped by government and statutory bodies giving conflicting advice, which she said leads to “misinformation”.

The book updates a 2003 volume on the same topic, moving away from a focus on reactive management to encourage practitioners to use strategies to reduce or eliminate restrictive practices.

• More information on ordering a copy of the book.

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