Physical interventions — from policy to practice
| Pages | 18-24 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668203200100010 |
| Date | 01 May 2001 |
| Published date | 01 May 2001 |
| Author | John Harris |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
18 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Limited The Journal of Adult Protection Volume 3 Issue 2 • May 2001
Introduction
A physical intervention involves one person using force to
limit, restrict or prevent movement by another or using force
to disengage from dangerous or harmful physical contact initi-
ated by someone else. Critically, it involves some degree of
pressure against resistance and, to this extent, it is distinct
from manual guidance (where personal contact is used to
assist someone in performing an action) or physical prompt-
ing (where personal contact is a stimulus designed to promote
learning).
The term ‘physical intervention’ is used here in place of
‘restraint’ because the latter term has become associated with
particular methods or techniques which are not necessarily
those most appropriate for working with children and adults
with a learning disability. In contrast physical intervention is
intended to be a neutral term which refers to all forms of force
used to restrict movement, including those which might be
regarded as unsuitable or even dangerous.
In human services, physical interventions are typically
employed when service users engage in extreme forms of
behaviour; for example, being violent towards other people,
engaging in self injury or presenting behaviour which results
in damage to property (Harris, 1996). In these circumstances,
a physical intervention may be the only way of preventing
serious injury or extensive damage to property. However, the
recognition that physical intervention may occasionally be
justified raises other concerns about the possible misuse of
force to manage the behaviour of adults and children who may
become violent or aggressive.
Physical interventions –
from policy to practice
John Harris
Director
British Institute of Learning Disabilities
key words
physical intervention
policy framework
restraint
abstract
This paper considers good
practice in the use of physical
interventions. It describes work
undertaken to establish a consensus
around policy principles in relation
the use of personal restraints in
response to violent behaviour by
adults and children with a learning
disability or autism. It highlights the
benefits of clear local and national
policies and identifies work required
to promote good practice.
Policy and practice overview
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