Petition · past parliament · Department for Education
Review the law on use of force on children in educational settings
Closed
40 signatures
What the petition asks
Review Section 93 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 which provides all school staff with the power to use reasonable force to prevent pupils from hurting themselves or others, from damaging property or causing disorder. We believe the law should give priority to a therapeutic approach.
Mainstream and specialist schools, and pupil referral units (to name a few) have the right to use reasonable force (which is normally used to control or restrain) on young people, to prevent them from hurting themselves or others, from damaging property or causing disorder.
This can be used without parental consent and often is used on children with autism and other SEN. Children as young as 6 with autism are routinely being restrained by adults and this can contribute to ongoing trauma into adulthood.
Therapeutic approaches must be at the forefront of supporting these children.
This can be used without parental consent and often is used on children with autism and other SEN. Children as young as 6 with autism are routinely being restrained by adults and this can contribute to ongoing trauma into adulthood.
Therapeutic approaches must be at the forefront of supporting these children.
Timeline
| 23 May 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 23 Nov 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
40
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Education
Opened
23 May 2023
Closed
23 Nov 2023
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.