Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department is taking steps to implement the recommendations of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report entitled How schools are monitoring the use of restraint; and if he will make a statement.

The government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into the training, monitoring, data collection and recording of the use of restraint in mainstream and special schools. The department will set out its position in due course.

Regarding broader behaviour management issues, the department is currently consulting on the draft Behaviour in Schools guidance and Suspension and Permanent Exclusion guidance. These will equip headteachers to create calm, orderly, safe and supportive school environments where all pupils can thrive and reach their potential in safety and dignity and where exclusions are only ever used lawfully, and when absolutely necessary as a last resort. The consultation closes on 31 March 2022.