'Calum's Law' on school child restraint passes at Holyrood

A law on the restraint and seclusion of school children has unanimously passed at the Scottish Parliament.

Known as Calum's Law, the legislation is named after Calum Morrison, who was restrained at a special educational needs school when he was 11 years old.

Under the members bill, introduced by Labour's Daniel Johnson, ministers are legally required to issue guidance on the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.

It aims to ensure that restraint is only used as a last resort where there is an immediate risk of harm.

The legislation means ministers will be able to set training standards on the use of restraint and seclusion.

Schools will also have to inform parents and carers if their child is subject to restraint or seclusion, and to record and report such incidents.

Calum's mother Beth Morrison, from Angus, has been campaigning for more than a decade after her son - who has learning disabilities, autism and epilepsy - was restrained at primary school until he lost consciousness.

Beth said Calum had been left traumatised for years after the incident.

Speaking to BBC Scotland News at Holyrood, she said: "It means everything because our children often can't verbalise, they can't talk and it's these children that are being subjected to restraint and seclusion.

"It means that finally our children's rights are protected, that we get clarity so teachers and staff know what they can and can't do and it means there is a reporting mechanism for this so families get told when these incidents happen to their children."

She added: "Calum's Law will hopefully ensure, in future, that clarity will be there for parents and for staff."

Teaching unions will be consulted on any new statutory guidance, while the measures do not apply to nursery settings.

Johnson praised Beth and fellow parent Kate Sanger as "absolutely outstanding campaigners," describing it as "Calum's Law and Beth's bill".

He said: "This bill puts guidance on a statutory footing, introduces requirements to inform parents, clear standards on reporting and clear training standards.

"It will make our children safer, provide clarity in terms of practice and treat the issue with the seriousness that it deserves".

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said that every child "had the right to go to school and feel safe".

She told the chamber restraint and seclusion should only be used "where there is an immediate risk of injury to themselves or others".

She added: "This bill sends a strong signal to teachers and staff that we will support them to de-escalate challenging situations in schools.

"It signals to parents that their children matter and when something happens in school, they should be told about that timeously.

"More importantly, it signals to pupils that they should not be restrained and secluded at school."