Registration Number: CS2024000332
Date of Policy: 28.12.2025
Review Date: 28.12.2026

Reviewed: 24.03.2026

By: Stacey sneddon 
Responsible Person: Stacey Sneddon

1. Policy Statement

Little Wonderland Nursery is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, rights-respecting environment where children feel secure, valued and supported. We recognise that restrictive practices should never be used as a form of discipline, punishment, convenience, or to control behaviour.

In line with Scottish Care Inspectorate guidance, restrictive practices are exceptional, last-resort measures used only to prevent imminent harm to a child or others and only for the shortest time possible.

Our approach prioritises:

• Children’s rights, dignity and wellbeing
• Positive behaviour support
• Trauma-informed and attachment-aware practice
• Partnership with families

2. Definition of Restrictive Practice

A restrictive practice is any action that limits a child’s freedom of movement, choice or behaviour, whether physical, environmental, or emotional.

In ELC settings, this includes (but is not limited to):

• Physical restraint
• Physical holding to prevent movement
• Environmental restrictions
• Seclusion or isolation
• Restricting access to basic needs

3. Prohibited Practices

The following practices are strictly prohibited in this setting under Care Inspectorate guidance and Scottish law:

❌ Physical Punishment

• Smacking, hitting, shaking, pushing, pinching or rough handling
• Any physical action intended to cause pain or discomfort

❌ Planned or Routine Restraint

• Any planned, routine, or anticipated use of restraint
• Restraint written into behaviour plans or used as a strategy

❌ Seclusion or Isolation

• Locking a child in a room or space
• Leaving a child alone in a room they cannot leave
• “Time out” where the child is isolated and prevented from leaving

❌ Emotional or Psychological Restriction

• Threats, humiliation, shaming, intimidation
• Withholding affection, comfort or reassurance
• Using fear or embarrassment to control behaviour

❌ Restriction of Basic Rights

• Withholding food, drink, sleep, toileting, outdoor play or comfort
• Preventing a child from accessing a trusted adult

❌ Mechanical or Medical Restraint

• Use of straps, furniture, equipment, or devices to restrict movement
• Any medication used to control behaviour

Any use of the above constitutes serious concern and may result in immediate referral to the Care Inspectorate, SSSC and safeguarding authorities.

4. Exceptional Use of Physical Intervention

Physical intervention may only be used when ALL of the following apply:

• There is an immediate risk of serious harm
• No alternative strategies are effective at that moment
• The intervention is reasonable, proportionate and minimal
• It lasts only as long as the danger exists
• It is used to protect, not to punish or control

Examples:

• Preventing a child from running into traffic
• Stopping a child from seriously harming themselves or another child

Physical intervention must never:

• Cause pain
• Restrict breathing
• Involve holding a child face-down
• Be used to enforce compliance

5. NOTIFIABLE Incidents to the Care Inspectorate

The following must be notified to the Care Inspectorate without delay via the online notification system:

🚨 Mandatory Notifications

• Any use of physical restraint or physical holding
• Any incident resulting in injury to a child or adult
• Any allegation of inappropriate or excessive force
• Any incident that could be considered seclusion or isolation
• Any restrictive practice used to manage behaviour

Failure to notify is a breach of registration requirements.

6. Practices That Are NOT Restrictive (When Used Appropriately)

The following are not considered restrictive practices when used appropriately and in line with children’s rights:

• Guiding a child gently by the hand for safety
• Age-appropriate boundaries and routines
• Offering choices and redirection
• Comforting a distressed child who seeks contact
• Using visual supports, calm spaces, or quiet areas by choice
• Briefly stopping a child from unsafe behaviour without force

7. Recording and Monitoring

Any incident involving physical intervention will:

• Be recorded on the same day
• Include:
  • What happened before, during and after
  • Why the intervention was necessary
  • Duration of the intervention
  • Staff involved
  • Child’s response and wellbeing
• Be shared with parents/carers as soon as possible
• Be reviewed to reduce future risk

8. Supporting Children and Preventing Restrictive Practice

We prevent restrictive practice by:

• Using GIRFEC-informed approaches
• Supporting emotional regulation
• Adapting environments to meet children’s needs
• Building strong, trusting relationships
• Working closely with parents and professionals
• Using positive behaviour support strategies

9. Staff Training and Responsibilities

All staff will:

• Receive training on:
  • Children’s rights
  • De-escalation strategies
  • Trauma-informed practice
  • Safe, minimal physical intervention
• Understand their duty to challenge and report poor practice
• Never act alone outside of policy

10. Partnership with Parents and Carers

We are open and transparent with families and will:

• Share this policy upon enrolment
• Inform parents of any incident involving their child
• Work collaboratively to support children’s wellbeing

11. Review and Accountability

This policy will be:

• Reviewed annually
• Updated in line with Care Inspectorate guidance
• Monitored by the provider/manager