Safeguarding Service Users from Abuse and Harm: Restraints, including Physical Controls, and Restrictive Practices in Domiciliary Care (England) Policy

Policy Statement

This policy sets out the values, principles and policies underpinning this care service’s approach to the wider issues of service users’ rights, associated risks and use of legitimate means of restraint, including physical restraint. The care service’s restraint policies are integral to its overall approach to the safeguarding of vulnerable service users.

The policy ensures that the respective human and citizens’ rights and responsibilities of service users and staff regarding the use of restraints and actions that restrict freedom of movement and action are always upheld.

The care service works on the basis that service users have the same rights as anyone else in society, which must be fully respected. It would not seek to restrict service users’ freedoms in any ways unless there were clear unacceptable risks to their safety and the safety of others without some form of restraint or restrictions being applied.