THERAPEUTIC PHYSICAL RESTRAINT POLICY
While all students, including those with disabilities, are expected to behave and conduct themselves appropriately, it may be necessary for a specifically designated staff member to provide a therapeutic physical restraint for students with disabilities who are in danger of harming themselves or others and staff have determined that less intrusive interventions are not likely to reduce the risk. Any restraint procedure must respect the student’s dignity and personal integrity. Therapeutic physical restraint may only be used in emergency situations or after a behavior plan has been developed, reviewed and approved by the committee on special education, including the parent. According to the re-authorization of IDEA Part 200, using physical restraint as a behavioral intervention is not allowed.
This restraint is defined as a physical hold that lasts for several minutes. The force of the hold shall be no greater than that which is absolutely necessary to prevent harm and should last no longer than is necessary to de-escalate the situation and allow the student to regain self-composure. All of the physical intervention techniques used in therapeutic crisis intervention are based on the principles of a maximum amount of caring with a minimum amount of force and the goal of de-escalating the situation by reducing stimulation/agitation so that the student can regain self-composure.
Therapeutic physical restraint is to be provided by a staff member who has completed a training program approved by the District. Except in those situations where a delay would heighten the risk of harm, a therapeutic physical restraint shall not be undertaken on a student unless another staff member is present. This staff person shall remain until the student is released from the restraint. If another adult is not present and a delay of restraint would likely result in harm to the student or others, the individual using such restraint must take immediate steps to ensure the presence of another staff member.
A therapeutic physical restraint may be used on a student only after it has been determined that other less intrusive interventions have been tried and failed to prevent the harm or a determination that the attempted use of these other less intrusive interventions and the delay in the use of a therapeutic physical restraint would, in all likelihood, increase the likelihood of harm to self or others.
Restrictive behavioral interventions (removal from the room, physical restraints) may be used only in emergencies or with an approved behavioral intervention plan. The CSE Chairperson should be notified immediately if a therapeutic physical restraint is used with any student with a disability and there is no behavioral intervention plan in place.
Unless authorized in a behavior management plan, restraints shall not be used more than twice in three months without a referral back to the CSE to consider whether the use of therapeutic physical restraints should be incorporated into the student’s behavior intervention plan. If a therapeutic physical restraint is used more than twice in a school year, a behavioral intervention plan must be developed.
As soon as the student is released from the restraint, the nurse shall either be called to the site where the child is located or the child shall be escorted to the nurse’s office. The nurse will conduct an examination of the child.
Following the therapeutic physical restraint:
§ The principal or his/her designee shall notify the parent immediately of the use of the therapeutic restraint.
§ The staff member, nurse and principal shall complete the Incident Report within 24 hours and forward it to the Superintendent and a copy of the Incident Report should be provided to parent.
Approved
#7618.F
RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK
CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Report – Incident Involving Therapeutic Physical Restraint
Name of Person Completing this Form: ____________________________________________
Date of incident:_______Time _______Location _________District Employee Administering Restraint: ____________Name of Student____________________Age:______Grade_______
Describe the behavior precipitating the use of the therapeutic physical restraint (include a list of interventions used preceding the restraint).
Complete Time of Restraint ___________________
Student Examined by Nurse: _______YES _______NO (attach a copy of nursing report)
Describe any Injuries
To the Student (nature of injury):
Action(s) taken:
To Other Students (names):
Nature of injury:
Actions(s) taken:
To Adults (names):
Nature of Injury”
Action(s) taken:
Damage to Property (Please describe the nature and extent of damage):
Parent Notification: Date ________ Time____________ By Whom____________________
____________________
____________________ __________________________ _______________________
Staff Member(s) Signature Principal Signature Nurse Signature
Cc: Principal, CSE Chairperson, Superintendent, Parent
#7618.2F
Ravema-Coeymans-Selkirk
HEALTH OFFICE
Date: ____________________
Student: _________________________Class: ____________
Staff Member(s) Involved in Incident: _______________________________________
Time of Incident: _____________
Location of Incident:______________________________________________________
Was nurse called to site of incident? Yes No
Time Presented to the Health Office: _______________
General Appearance of Student:
Complaints Offered by Student:
Assessment of Student:
Disposition of Student Upon Leaving Health Office:
Follow-up:
Assist in completing the “Incident Report” with staff member and principal as directed.
Date completed:__________ Time:__________