2.3.2 Sanctions

Contents

1. Approved and Non Approved Sanctions
2. Informing Children
3. When Sanctions may be Imposed
4. Monitoring and Recording use of Sanctions

1. Approved and Non Approved Sanctions

The following restrictions, if placed upon a child, are deemed to be a Sanction and must be recorded as such:

1. Confiscation or withdrawal of a telephone or mobile 'phone in order to protect a child or another person from harm, injury or to protect property from being damaged. See: Correspondence, Communication and Social Networking Procedure
2. Any restriction on sending or receiving letters or other correspondence.  See: Correspondence, Communication and Social Networking Procedure

Apart from the above, it is for each home to develop Approved Sanctions suitable to the type of children placed there.

These sanctions must be approved by the Organisation and set out in Statements of Purpose, Staff/Service Handbooks and Children's Guides or Placement Plans for individual children.

These documents must state whether there are any restrictions on who may impose or authorise sanctions.  In the absence of such a statement, any member of staff or carer may do so.

When approving such sanctions, it is important to be mindful of the Non Approved Sanctions, listed in Behaviour Management Guidance.

2. Informing Children

Children should be informed about the range of sanctions that may be imposed upon them and the possible circumstances which may result in sanctions.

This information must be provided in a Children's Guide or outlined in the Placement Plan for individual children.

3. When Sanctions may be Imposed

Only Approved Sanctions may be imposed, as a negative consequence for unacceptable behaviour. 

Sanctions may only be imposed as a last resort with the intention of encouraging acceptable behaviour or acting as a disincentive for unacceptable behaviour.

Sanctions must never be imposed simply as a consequence of unacceptable behaviour.

Caution should be exercised to ensure that sanctions do not act as positive re-enforcement of unacceptable behaviour.

Before any sanction is imposed staff/carers must be satisfied of the following:

1. that the child was capable of behaving acceptably and understands what was required of him/her;
2. other encouraging and rewarding strategies have not worked or would not work in the circumstances;
3. the sanction imposed is relevant, fair and must last no longer than is absolutely necessary
4. there is a view that the sanction may encourage acceptable behaviour or act as a disincentive.

4. Monitoring and Recording use of Sanctions

The Manager must monitor and review the use of sanctions and be satisfied that they are used appropriately. 

Sanctions must be noted in the Daily Log and Sanctions Record kept by the home, and noted in the child's Daily Record with detail, if necessary, on a Detail Record.

The Sanctions Record should show the following:

• the name of the child
• the date, time the sanction was imposed
• details of the behaviour/reason for the sanction
• the nature of the sanction imposed
• the outcome or consequences of the sanction
• the name(s) of the staff imposing the sanction
• the name and signature of the manager, and date signed

End