The Government's response to the report by Peter Smallridge and Andrew Williamson of a review of the use of restraint in juvenile secure settings

In July 2007, following the findings of the coroner in the inquests over the tragic deaths of Gareth Myatt and Adam Rickwood, the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) commissioned an independent review of the use of restraint in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs), Secure Training Centres (STCs) and Secure Children's Homes (SCHs).

The chairs of the review, Peter Smallridge and Andrew Williamson, reported their recommendations on 20 June 2008.

They made 58 recommendations, including the identification of the following key issues: the need for greater clarity and consistency in the use of restraint; the need for two systems of constraint - one for YOIs and one for STCs and accreditation of the methods in use; the need for a review of legislation and guidance on the use of restraint against six principles that focus on preventing the risk of harm; that there should be a new mandatory Acceditation Scheme; and, that a Restraint Management Board should be established. The Government is accepting almost all of the recommendations presented by Peter Smallridge and Andrew Williamson, and this report presents the Government's response to the independent review.