Restrictive equipment for children and young people guidance launched
We’ve published new professional guidance to support occupational therapists who are asked to assess, recommend or review equipment and adaptations that may limit a child or young person’s movement or participation.
Written by occupational therapists for occupational therapists, the guidance brings together legal duties, ethical considerations and evidence-based practice into one clear, accessible framework. It was developed by members of the Restrictive Practice Guidance writing group, with contributions from OTs across the Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) community on RCOT Communities.
Why this guidance matters
OTs are increasingly asked to make decisions about equipment that can restrict movement, safety or participation. These situations are complex. They require thoughtful risk assessment, partnership working and decisions grounded in human rights.
This guidance helps practitioners:
– prioritise least restrictive, enabling approaches
– complete proportionate, person-centred, multiagency risk assessments
– justify decisions using evidence, clear rationale and human rights principles
– gain and record informed consent or best interests decisions
– monitor equipment safely and review use regularly
– plan for reducing restrictions over time.
It emphasises that restrictive equipment should only ever be used when absolutely necessary, for the shortest time possible and within a shared plan for moving towards safer, less restrictive alternatives.
What this means for practice
The guidance gives OTs a structure they can use straight away. It supports clearer documentation, stronger clinical reasoning and more confident conversations with families, colleagues and multiagency partners.
It’s essential reading for practitioners involved in equipment provision, safeguarding, risk assessment or children’s services. It can also be used to support supervision, CPD reflection and service development.
Born from community expertise
This guidance is rooted in real practice. The writing group was led by OTs and shaped by discussions within the Children, Young People and Families and Learning Disabilities networks on RCOT Communities. Their insight, questions and shared experiences helped identify the need for national guidance and informed its development.
We’re encouraging members to continue the conversation. A dedicated discussion thread is now live on RCOT Communities where you can explore scenarios, share challenges and contribute to future practice tools.
Accessing the guidance
The full guidance is available now in:
- RCOT resource library
- Children, Young People and Families network resource library on RCOT Communities
- Learning Disability network resource library on RCOT Communities.
Members and non-members can download the document. RCOT members can also join the Children, Young People and Families network and Learning Disability network discussion threads to reflect and build upon the conversation, access wider guidance and practice networks and use the CPD portfolio to save their learning.
