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Contents

1. Non-approved Sanctions 
2. Approved Sanctions
3. Informing Children
4. When Sanctions may be Imposed
5. Monitoring and Recording use of Sanctions

1. Non-approved Sanctions

The sanctions that may not be imposed upon Looked After Children, in any circumstances are as follows:

1. Any form of corporal punishment;
2. Any restriction on a child’s contact with parents, relatives or friends;
3. Any restriction on a child’s communication with his or her solicitor, advocate, guardian or telephone helpline providing counseling for children;
4. Any requirement that a child wear distinctive or inappropriate clothing;
5. The use of or withholding medication, or medical or dental treatment;
6. The intentional deprivation of sleep or food and drink;
7. The imposition of any financial penalty (other than the payment of a reasonable sum by way of reparation;
8. Any intimate physical examination of the child;
9. The withholding of any aids or equipment required by a disabled child;
10. Any measure which involved the child in the imposition of any measure against another child or the punishment of a group of children for the behaviour of an individual child.

Nothing in the above list, however, prohibits the taking of action as instructed by a registered medical or dental practitioner, which is necessary to protect the health of the child or the taking of any action immediately necessary to prevent injury to any person or serious damage to property or the imposition of a requirement that a child wear distinctive clothing for sporting purposes or for purposes connected with his or her education or any organisation whose members customarily wear uniform in connection with its activities.

2. Approved Sanctions

The sanctions that may be imposed upon Looked After Children are as follows:

1. Reparation, involving the child doing something to put right the wrong they have done; e.g.: repairing damage or returning stolen property;
2. Restitution, involving the child paying for all or part of damage caused or the replacement of misappropriated monies or goods.  No more than two thirds of a child’s pocket money may be taken in these circumstances if the payment is small and being dealt with in a single weekly episode. Larger amounts may be paid in restitution but must be of a fixed amount with a clear start and end period. If the damage is serious or the size of payment particularly large then the child’s social worker should be informed of the matter;
3. Confiscation or withdrawal of privileges, for example the withdrawal of the privilege of staying up late or a telephone or mobile ‘phone in order to protect a child or another person from harm, injury or to protect property from being damaged;
4. Restriction on sending or receiving letters or other correspondence in order to protect a child or another person from harm, injury or to protect property from being damaged. “Correspondence” may also include internet/chat room access etc.  Misuse of the Internet for such purposes should be reported to the child’s social worker and the foster carer’s family placement social worker;
5. Time out from an activity or group, involving a child being prevented from participating in such activities;
6. Additional chores, involving a child undertaking additional chores over and above those they would normally be expected to do;
7. Increased supervision, involving the child being closely supervised by staff/carers;
8. Early bedtimes, by up to half an hour or as agreed with the child’s social worker;
9. Removal of equipment, for example the use of a TV or video/DVD player;
10. Suspension of pocket money for short periods.

3. Informing Children

Children should be informed about the range of sanctions that may be imposed upon them and the possible circumstances which may result in sanctions.

This information must be provided in a Children’s Guide or outlined in the Placement Information Record for individual children.

4. When Sanctions may be Imposed

Only Approved Sanctions, listed in Section 2, Approved Sanctions, may be imposed, as a consequence for unacceptable behaviour. 

Sanctions may only be imposed as a last resort with the intention of encouraging acceptable behaviour or acting as a disincentive for unacceptable behaviour.

Sanctions must never be imposed simply as a consequence of unacceptable behaviour.

Caution should be exercised to ensure that sanctions do not act as positive re-enforcement of unacceptable behaviour.

Before any sanction is imposed staff/carers must be satisfied of the following:

1. That the child was capable of behaving acceptably and understands what was required of him/her;
2. That other encouraging and rewarding strategies have not worked or would not work in the circumstances;
3. That the sanction imposed is relevant, fair and must last no longer than is absolutely necessary
4. That there is a view that the sanction may encourage acceptable behaviour or act as a disincentive to unacceptable behaviour;
5. That it will not be applied on an open-ended basis, without effect. 

5. Monitoring and Recording use of Sanctions

In foster homes, sanctions must be recorded in the following way:

1. Social workers and family placement social workers should be informed of any sanctions where this is required above;
2. All sanctions (and where a notification is made) should be recorded in the Foster Carer’s Daily Record for the child. (Social workers and family placement social workers should make a note on the case file).

In children’s homes, sanctions must be recorded in the Measure of Control Form kept in a bound book.

End