Use of Restraint on CYP in Mental Health Settings - FOI Response Register

Please provide the following information:

1. A copy of the Health Board’s current policy or policies governing the use of restrictive practices (such as restraint, seclusion and intramuscular injection) on children in mental health settings (including in relation to the recording and reporting of incidents).  Please provide confirmation of when these were last reviewed.

Please find attached – this is a draft which is currently undergoing revisions

2. The number of i) children and ii) incident of children being restrained in mental health in-patient settings operated by the Health Board in each of the last five calendar years (with an update for 2025 year to date).

No mental health inpatient facility in this health board.

3. The number of i) children and ii) incident of children being subject to seclusion in mental health in-patient settings operated by the Health Board in each of the last five calendar years (with an update for 2025 year to date).

No mental health inpatient facility in this health board.

4. The number of i) children and ii) incident of children being, subject to intermuscular injection of sedatives in mental health in-patient settings operated by the Health Board in each of the last five calendar years (with an update for 2025 year to date).

No mental health inpatient facility in this health board.

5. The number of i) children and ii) incident of children being injured as a result of restrictive practices in mental health in-patient  settings operated by the Health Board in each of the last five calendar years (with an update for 2025 year to date).

No mental health inpatient facility in this health board. Therefore 0

6. The number of i) children and ii) incident of children being, taken to A&E as a result of restrictive practices in in-patient settings operated by the Health Board in each of the last five calendar years (with an update for 2025 year to date).

No mental health inpatient facility in this health board. Therefore 0

For the avoidance of doubt, “restrictive practices” includes restraint, seclusion, and intermuscular injection of sedatives.

“Children” is defined by us in line with Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as amended by Schedule 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 as those under the age of 18. If it is not possible to provide information broken down in this way, please explain why and provide it instead for under 16s.

“Mental health in-patient settings” includes children detained under the mental health act and children resident there on a voluntary or other basis due to their mental health. Please provide a breakdown of the children’s legal status, if possible.

Settings “operated by the Health Board” includes settings operated by or on behalf of the health board within their geographical area.  It does not include children placed in the geographical area of another health board area on behalf of the placing health board. This will avoid double counting.