ABSTRACT

The use and interpretation of what constitutes ‘restraint’ with patients/clients differs according to the type or remit of the clinical area. It is therefore pertinent to first analyze several definitions of restraint and consider these definitions as to their appropriateness for use within children and young people’s nursing. In children and young people’s nursing, healthcare professionals refer to the use of restraint specifically for facilitation of both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The restraint of children within healthcare settings for painful or painless procedures may be required to prevent significant and greater harm to the children themselves, practitioners or others (Royal College of Nursing [RCN] 2010).