The use of physical restraint and seclusion in care services for children and young people reduced in 2024, according to the Care Inspectorate.
A statistical bulletin published today, which focused on services providing residential care and support, noted there were 6,263 incidents of physical restraint in 2024, and the median number of incidents of physical restraint for all services was one. There were 68 (-1.1%) fewer incidents of physical restraint than the previous year, and the median number of incidents across all services decreased from two.
Although the number of reported physical restraints continues to be highest in care homes, the rate was the lowest at 1.3 incidents of physical restraint per place. Secure accommodation services continue to report the highest rate at 21.9 incidents per place. The rates decreased from last year, except for school care accommodation services (special residential schools) where the rate was 5.6 incidents per place, up from 4.3 in 2023.
There were 509 incidents of seclusion in 2024, and the median number of incidents for all services was 0. There were 220 (-30.2%) fewer incidents than the previous year, and the median number of incidents across all services remained at 0.
Secure accommodation services continue to report the highest number of incidents of seclusion and the highest rate of seclusion per place at 5.5 incidents per place. Despite this, the reported number of incidents of seclusion and the rate at which it occurs decreased for both secure accommodation services and care home services from the previous year. School care accommodation services (special residential schools) demonstrated an increase in the number of incidents and the rate of seclusion per place at 0.1 incidents per place, up from 0.03 in 2023.
There were 1,778 incidents of other restrictive practice in 2024, and the median number of incidents for all services was 0.
Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “The use of restrictive practices, including physical restraint, must be considered within the context of practitioners having a duty of care, and taking protective action to keep young people safe. We are committed to upholding and promoting human rights and the rights of the child. These rights may only be restricted as a last resort, including in the use of restraint.”
The full report can be read here.