Commissioner supports bill

Commissioner Nicola Killean will reiterate her support of the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill at the Scottish Parliament today.

She is due to give evidence to the Education, Children and Young People Committee, and speaking ahead of the session, once again called for statutory guidance on the use of restraint in all settings where children are in care of the State. This includes schools, residential and secure care, and mental health provision.

Commissioner Nicola added: “This has been a long-running issue for my office. We support this bill and are grateful to Daniel Johnson MSP for bringing it, and to the parents and carers and organisations who have campaigned for many years to get to this significant milestone.

“The inappropriate use of restraint can amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and is a breach of children’s human rights.”