Permissible Sanctions

Rewards and Privileges:

Reward systems may be based on an ability to earn extra money or privileges but should always be based on an easily achievable minimum level. The base line should include the immediate acquisition of some rewards or privileges so that progress is possible.

Curtailment of Leisure Activities:

This should be used as a disciplinary measure only when the repeated use of informal measures has proved ineffective. Any curtailment of leisure activities should be current and appropriate and should not last more than one week. Staff to fully consider the ‘cost/benefit’ of losing the positive leisure activity and the wider impact upon the young person. Hobbies and health activities should not be used as sanctions.

Additional Household Chores:  (e.g. extra washing up)

Again this should only be used when the repeated use of informal measures has proved ineffective. Any additional chores should be relevant to the misbehaviour and should not last more than one week.

Reparation (Compensation) for Wilful Damage to Property or the Misappropriation of Monies and Goods:

Regulations permit the deduction of up to two-thirds of pocket money for reparation or compensation, where the child has, through a prior written agreement, been warned of the consequences. Any reparation or compensation re-payments should not extend beyond 4 weeks. Also for staff to consider other creative ways, individual to the young person whereby they could ‘repay their debt’ in a non-monetary way.

Confiscation of Property

The confiscation, temporary or permanently, of any article, material or substance belonging to the resident if that same article, material or substance is considered to be a serious nuisance to others; or to be dangerous or injurious to others or to his/herself.

Reporting to the Police

The use of the approved sanctions outlined as part of the process of maintaining the boundaries of acceptable behaviour may not be sufficient at some times to manage the unlawful activities of young people. The following are examples:

• Where a third party specifically asks for the Police;
• To report suspicious articles or substances where the child, young person cannot adequately explain how they had come to have them;
• To give witness to events or pass information to be relevant to an enquiry by the Police;
• To report a crime.

Corporal Punishment:

This is unlawful and covers any intentional application of force as a punishment including slapping, throwing missiles, pinching, squeezing, shaking and rough handling. It also includes punching or pushing in the heat of the moment in response to violence from young people. It does not prevent a member of staff taking restraining action, which may be immediately necessary to prevent personal injury to the young person.

Deprivation of Food:

This is also unlawful and should be taken to include to denial of access to the amounts and range of food and drink normally available at a time known to young people in the home. Specific food or drinks may be withheld from a young person on medical advice, but this must be recorded on their personal records. Children or young people should not be forced to eat foods that they dislike.

Restriction or Refusal of Contact:

This may not be used as a measure of control. However, restrictions may be placed on certain individuals or on the facility to receive or make visits. Those restrictions should only be used when they are in the young person's best interests or consistent with their welfare. For example, restrictions should only be used following a planning decision made by those with parental responsibility in consultation with the young person.  Restriction of contact with family as a result of grounding is not acceptable in any circumstances. Restriction of contact with friends, however, is acceptable.

Requirement to wear Distinctive or Inappropriate Clothing:

This may not be used as a measure of control and should be taken to include any punishment uniform or badge or clothing, which are inappropriate to the time of day and the activity being undertaken. This also applies to footwear and hairstyles.

Withholding of Medication, Medical or Dental Treatment:

This is prohibited in all circumstances. Normal household medications such as headache tablets are included in this definition but staff must be aware of any abnormal patterns of usage. However, if young people refuse or choose not to take prescribed medicines, then this should be recorded in their personal records. This information should be shared with the Registered Manager.

Intentional Deprivation of Sleep

This is not authorised as a measure of control. When children and young people stay awake all night of their own volition, staff and managers need to address this behaviour through systems of rewards and privileges or other methods of control. This does not, however, mean that young people should stay in bed all day, consequently reversing their sleep pattern. In these circumstances, staff may consider ensuring that young people are regularly woken.

Imposition of Fines

With the exception of fines imposed by the Courts, fines may not be imposed as a measure of control. Withholding part of pocket money, or personal allowance should only be used for reparation for wilful damage or the replacement of misappropriated monies or goods.

Intimate Physical Searches

These are prohibited in all circumstances. If it is believed a young person is in possession of anything that may cause harm to self or others, or whose possession is itself a criminal offence and cannot be managed within the home, then the Police or other appropriate services shall be called for support.

Restriction of Liberty

The situation regarding restriction of liberty by locking children up is clear.  It is permitted only in establishments officially designated as secure accommodation.

Ambiguity could arise with regard to measures which fall short of locking children up, but which clearly restrict their liberty. Any practice or measure which directly prevents a child from leaving a room or building of their own free will could be deemed by a Court to constitute "restriction of liberty".

Such such actions should be restricted to circumstances where it is immediately necessary to prevent injury to any person or serious damage to property, as is the case with physical restraint described in Use of Restraint and Physical Intervention Procedure.