Restraint Incidents in Schools 2018-21 - Freedom of information requests

Title or Description: Restraint Incidents in Schools 2018-21
FOI Number: 424
Date Received: 28/04/2022
Type of Request: FOI
Request or Question: This is a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 regarding the use of restraint in special schools. For each academic year from 2018-2021, please can you provide the following data:
1. The total number of incidents of restraint that took place in special schools and alternative provision sites in the local authority, and how many of these resulted in a physical injury to a child or young person?
2. The total number of incidents of seclusion that took place in special schools and alternative provision sites in the local authority, and how many of these resulted in a physical injury to a child or young person?
3. Do staff at special schools and alternative provision sites in the local authority receive regular training in the use of restraint?

a. If the above answer is yes, which type of training or provider is used, and how regularly (for instance, is it annual, biannual, or upon starting a staff role)?

Please break down the data for questions 1 and 2 by academic year, i.e. 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22 (so far).
Response: 1. 2018/19 - 4 incidents of restraint/ 0 incidents of injury to young people as a result of intervention

2. 0 incidents of seclusion

3. Staff are trained in the use of de-escalation strategies (restraint), guides and physical intervention through Team Teach. This is arranged by SBC and comprises initial training followed by a refresher course two years later.
a. Team Teach which is a biannual programme