Physical restraint in residential child care: The experiences of young people and residential workers,

There have long been concerns about the use of physical restraint in residential child care. In different countries there are different definitions of physical restraint and these may include mechanical restraints or chemical restraints. In the UK, however, mechanical and chemical restraints are only rarely used in children’s services. This study is concerned with physical restraint by staff and recently published guidance defined physical restraint as: an intervention in which staff hold a child to restrict his or her movement and should only be used to prevent harm (Davidson et al, 2005, p.vii).