Restrictive Interventions and Use of Reasonable Force Bundle

🔒 Fully aligned to the April 2026 DfE guidance on restrictive interventions

Get your school compliant with the April 2026 DfE guidance on restrictive interventions with this practical seven-resource pack for headteachers, SENDCos, behaviour leads and pastoral teams. The guidance replaces the 2013 Use of Reasonable Force advice and introduces new statutory recording and reporting duties – this pack helps you understand what has changed, audit your current practice and policy, and get the right systems in place.

You'll get a:

☑️ Leader Action Checklist that works through every area of the guidance – from statutory recording and reporting duties to policy, SEND support, staff training and governing body oversight – so you can identify your most urgent actions and plan your response

☑️ Policy Checklist to audit your existing policy against the new statutory requirements and identify any gaps before governors are asked to ratify it

☑️ Behaviour Risk Assessment Form and Pupil Behaviour Support Plan Template to support individual pupils where there is an identified risk of needing to use reasonable force, with a focus on de-escalation and preventative strategies

☑️ Use of Restrictive Intervention and Reasonable Force Log with every statutory recording field built in, so leaders can record incidents compliantly and meet the same-day notification duty with confidence

☑️ Staff Training Presentation – a ready-made PowerPoint covering the guidance changes, staff legal powers, the three-part assessment and recording responsibilities – all ready to use in a staff meeting with no preparation needed. Please note: this is not safe handling or physical restraint training that instructs staff how to safely restrain a pupil.

☑️ 12 Restrictive Intervention Scenarios to build staff confidence in applying the guidance – ideal for drip-feeding into briefings and staff meetings across the year

Buy what you need when you need it

No costly subscription required

Instant digital download

£12.50

Restrictive Interventions and Use of Reasonable Force Bundle

£12.50

CONTENTS

WHO IT'S FOR

HOW IT CAN HELP

WHAT ELSE?

REVIEWS (0)

What's in this Restrictive Interventions and Use of Reasonable Force Pack?

This pack provides a complete set of practical tools to help school leaders understand, implement and demonstrate compliance with the April 2026 DfE guidance: Restrictive Interventions, Including Use of Reasonable Force, in Schools – the statutory update that replaces the 2013 Use of Reasonable Force guidance.

You'll get:

☑️ Leader Action Checklist – Restrictive Interventions and Use of Reasonable Force A comprehensive 10-page checklist that guides senior leaders, DSLs, SENDCos, behaviour leads and governing bodies through every area of the guidance – from understanding the statutory recording and reporting duties to reviewing policy, training and individual pupil support. Use it to identify your most urgent actions and plan your response.

☑️ Policy Checklist – Restrictive Interventions and Use of Reasonable Force A structured audit tool to help you review your existing policy against the requirements of the April 2026 guidance, including the new statutory elements. Identifies gaps and helps you bring your policy into line before governors are asked to ratify it.

☑️ Behaviour Risk Assessment Form An editable template for assessing the risks associated with an individual pupil's behaviour and needs – particularly where SEND is a factor. Helps leaders identify where preventative strategies or increased support are needed, and informs the development of a behaviour support plan.

☑️ Pupil Behaviour Support Plan Template A structured, editable plan outlining what to do if a pupil's behaviour escalates, with a focus on de-escalation strategies, preventative approaches and reducing the likelihood of needing to use reasonable force or any other restrictive intervention. This should be co-produced with the pupil, parents and relevant professionals as recommended in the guidance.

☑️ Use of Restrictive Intervention and Reasonable Force Log An editable incident recording form built around the statutory recording and reporting requirements of the April 2026 guidance. Every required data field is included – from the time, date and duration of the incident to de-escalation strategies used, the pupil's SEND status and post-incident support provided – so leaders can follow it with confidence that they are meeting their legal duties.

☑️ Staff Training Presentation – Restrictive Interventions and Use of Reasonable Force A ready-made PowerPoint presentation for use in a staff meeting or briefing. Covers the key changes in the guidance, staff legal powers, the four legal grounds for using reasonable force, the three-part assessment, unacceptable uses of force, and recording and reporting responsibilities. Please note: this is not physical restraint or safe handling training – that must be delivered in person by a qualified provider. This presentation updates staff on the guidance and their statutory responsibilities.

☑️ 12 Restrictive Intervention Scenarios Twelve discussion scenarios for use with staff to rehearse decision-making in line with the guidance. Scenarios focus on whether the use of reasonable force has legal grounds, applying the three-part test, and considering proportionality and pupil welfare. Again, this is not training in how to physically restrain a pupil safely – it is about developing staff confidence in following the guidance correctly.

All templates are fully editable so you can adapt them for your school's specific context.

Who should use this Restrictive Interventions and Use of Reasonable Force Pack?

This pack is designed for headteachers, deputy headteachers and senior leaders who need to ensure their school is compliant with the April 2026 DfE guidance and can demonstrate that compliance to governors and, if required, to Ofsted.

It is particularly valuable if leaders need to act quickly to update policies, establish statutory recording systems and brief staff on their responsibilities under the new guidance.

SENDCos and behaviour leads will find the risk assessment, behaviour support plan and training materials especially relevant, given the guidance's specific focus on pupils with SEND and the expectation that individual risk assessments inform both support planning and training decisions.

Governing bodies will also benefit from the Leader Action Checklist, which includes a dedicated section on governing body and leadership oversight – covering the governing body's duty to review data on the use of restrictive interventions and ensure recording and reporting procedures are in place.

This pack is essential for any school that has not yet reviewed its policy, recording systems or staff training in light of the April 2026 guidance.

How can this pack help school leaders comply with the April 2026 DfE guidance on restrictive interventions?

This pack helps you tackle the most common challenges leaders face when responding to a significant change in statutory guidance.

"How do I know what has actually changed with restrictive intervention in schools and what we need to do differently?"
The Leader Action Checklist works through the full guidance section by section – from understanding new definitions and legal duties to reviewing policy, SEND support, training and post-incident practice. It helps you see exactly where your school needs to take action, rather than having to work this out from scratch.

"How do I know if our existing restrictive intervention policy is still fit for purpose?"
The Policy Checklist audits your current policy against the requirements of the April 2026 guidance, including the new statutory recording and reporting elements. It gives you a clear picture of any gaps before your policy goes back to governors for ratification.

"How do we record physical intervention and reasonable force incidents in a way that meets our legal duties?"
The Use of Restrictive Intervention and Reasonable Force Log is built around the statutory minimum requirements, so every field you need to complete is already there. Leaders can use it with confidence that they are meeting the same-day recording duty and capturing everything required for parental notification.

"How do we support pupils where there is a known risk of needing to use reasonable force?"
The Behaviour Risk Assessment Form and Pupil Behaviour Support Plan Template work together to ensure individual pupils are properly supported – with clear de-escalation strategies in place and relevant staff aware of triggers, sensory needs and communication approaches.

"How do I brief my staff on the new restrictive intervention guidance quickly and effectively?"
The Staff Training Presentation is ready to use in a staff meeting with no additional preparation needed. The 12 discussion scenarios give staff the chance to apply the guidance to realistic situations, developing their confidence in making sound decisions under pressure.

Want to build on your behaviour work?

These resource might help:

Attendance and Behaviour Audit – A comprehensive audit tool to evaluate your school's approach to attendance and behaviour across all key areas. A natural companion to this pack if you want a broader picture of where your behaviour systems and culture stand.

Behaviour Lead – Ofsted Inspection Preparation Bundle – Everything a behaviour lead needs to prepare for inspection scrutiny, including self-evaluation prompts, evidence guidance and preparation materials aligned to the Ofsted framework.

Responding Calmly to Manage Behaviour CPD Training Bundle – A staff CPD resource focused on calm, confident responses to challenging behaviour. Complements the scenarios and training presentation in this pack by developing the everyday communication and de-escalation skills that reduce the need for restrictive interventions in the first place.

Why thousands of school leaders trust Honeyguide

Pay for what you need

Buy the budget-friendly resources you actually need. No subscriptions or costly tie-ins. No wasted spend.

Instant digital delivery

Pick a resource, download it immediately and use it today. No delays or waiting for delivery.

Time-saving resources

Our guidance helps you think strategically and our editable templates save hours of planning and prep.

Expertise in school leadership

We’ve been in your shoes. Every resource is built by experienced heads, DSLs, and SENDCos who know the job inside out.

Download instantly and use today

Rated 4.8 / 5 by school leaders

Aligned with DfE and Ofsted guidance