Written question asked by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 17 May 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 May 2007. It was answered by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Monday, 4 June 2007 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Pupils: Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance his Department issues to local authorities and schools about (a) appropriate professional relationships between teachers and other staff and pupils and their families and (b) physical contact with pupils to safeguard children in education.

Answer: [holding answer 22 May 2007]: The Department has included guidance on physical contact with pupils and abuse of a relationship of trust in "Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education". Separate guidance has also been issued on the use of restraint in schools, "Circular 10/98 The Use of Force to Control or Restrain Pupils", outlines what teachers and other authorised staff are allowed to do. This is currently under revision, with the aim of publishing revised guidance by the end of June.There are also two specialised guidance documents for pupils with special educational needs. "Guidance on the Use of Restrictive Physical Interventions for Staff Working with Children and Adults who Display Extreme Behaviour in Association with Learning Disability and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders" and "Guidance on the Use of Physical Interventions for Pupils with Severe Behavioural Difficulties".We have not however issued guidance on relationships between teachers and pupils' families.

Secondary information