I want an end to the use of any punitive restraint used against children in residential care with histories of adversity and trauma. It risks retraumatising them, when therapeutic practise is available to support healing, development and achievement.

In the 25+ years I’ve been supporting children / young people I’ve never had to use restraint because my practice involves building therapeutic relationships that are guided by neuroscience. I’m also neurodiverse with living experience of childhood adversity and trauma, so I know how valuable therapeutic relationships are for healing, whereas use of restraint can add to stress and fear.