Key points to look out for
From 1 April 2026, all schools should have a policy on the use of restrictive interventions. Find out more about the new requirements on restrictive interventions in our summary.
This policy isn't statutory, so its contents will vary depending on your approach and context. We've suggested what might be included in a policy, based on the Department for Education (DfE)'s restrictive interventions guidance.
This article is not meant as a guide for writing a policy, since that’s your senior leaders’ job. Instead, use this article to give you a sense of what to look for when reviewing your policy.
A good policy will include the following:
Definitions of the different types of restrictive intervention, including when staff might use them
Expect to see definitions of key terms and examples of how and why they might be used in your school. Key terms include:
- Restrictive interventions
- Reasonable force
- Restraint
- Seclusion