Use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance: proposed amendments
- From:
- Department for Education
- Published
- 4 February 2025
- Last updated
- 18 December 2025 — See all updates
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
A summary of responses received and the government’s response to the consultation and next steps.
Original consultation
Summary
We are seeking views on proposed changes to the use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance for England.
This consultation iswas being held on another website.
This consultation closesran atfrom
to
Consultation description
DfE plans to update the use of reasonable force guidance (2013) and commence legislation which mandates schools to record and report each significant incident where force is used.
This consultation seeks views on proposed revisions to the use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance. The revised guidance will aim to:
- clarify the use of reasonable force to help school staff use this power safely and appropriately
- help schools use prevention and de-escalation strategies to minimise the need to use reasonable force and other restrictive interventions
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Updates to this page
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Added the consultation response.
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First published.
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Update history
2025-12-18 16:37
Added the consultation response.
2025-02-04 12:00
First published.