Hi, no it means taking the least restrictive measure possible so that it helps resolve a situation and ensures everyone still remains safe. The act of restraining a child is the most extreme form of restraint and would not be the least restrictive. It would be the strategy to use if all others have failed and if your setting has policies, procedures and recording practices in place so that staff know what they are doing, why and when restraint might be used. It will also state what is to happen after an incident.
As situations vary considerably eg. age of child, young person, adult, the behaviour being shown. any known and unknown reasons for the behaviour the measure that would be implemented will differ.
If you have the
cache level 3 handbook on amazon pages 110 & 111 are helpful. It refers to this as an approach, one that takes the ethos of a setting/home into consideration and then manages times of challenging behaviour in a 'scaling type response. eg. how everyone is a continual role model for their & others behaviour, remaining calm & discussing emotions & responses as part of each days activities, using negotiation, distraction, boundary setting, providing choice, looking for triggers & reasons for behaviour eg. a transition, want or need, helping children to reflect on behaviour and any consequences that occured.
HSC 3045 unit and
CYP3.2 also examines supporting positive behaviour
Would your role involve any of these?
Supporting parents to understand a least restictive principle - how they can identify triggers in children's behaviour & manage it with the least amount of conflict whilst still ensuring the safety of each child and themselves.
If you find your visit ever heightens excitement & causes unexpected arguments between children. This principle would ask how you'd manage the rush for your atttention/the disruption that a visit brings and then what you would do in reaction to any aggressive, challenging behaviour.
Explaining to your family/parents how a setting that their child attends manages expectations for behaviour.
You may also find you need or are asked by a parent to help resolve challenging behaviour.
This article on communitycare examines the least restictive priciple/option within the mental capacity act -
least restrictive principle means
If possible can you access any policies that details behaviour & the procedures you're legally covered to take in response to challenging behaviour?
Hth xx