This guidance is for staff supporting people using health and social care services. It looks at the legal, ethical and practical considerations which must be taken into account when considering whether someone’s freedom of movement may need to be limited, and how the balance of potential risks and benefits for the individual must be considered.
The guidance outlines the principles which must be taken into account and specific issues relating to different types of intervention which may be encountered. The scope of the guidance is limited to care and treatment of individuals in health and social care settings and is not intended to apply to interventions in relation to other situations e.g. children in educational establishments.