Reducing restrictive practices

Last updated: 14/02/2023

Man putting his hand on another man's shoulder

Understand more about the role mental health nurses play in ensuring inpatient wards deliver safe, therapeutic interventions. Here you can access relevant legislation and find out more about the use of restrictive practices in inpatient mental health services.

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Mental health

Who is this resource for?

This resource is aimed at nurses across all settings and levels of practice, including midwives, students of health, social work and care professions.

What will this resource give me?

the role mental health nurses plan in ensuring safe, therapeutic interventions
Use of Force Act 2018 – legislation for mental health units in England
re-cap on Congress 2018 and research into reducing restrictive practices
information on the challenges facing staff on psychiatric wards
training opportunities
national policy and guidance.

Resource last reviewed

15 Jun 2022

Resource lead

Carolyn Doyle

The RCN delivers quality-assured and up-to-date resources for the nursing workforce. Reviewed annually in line with the RCN Quality Assurance policy, all RCN Learn resources meet the RCN’s Nine Quality Standards.

Who is this resource for?

This resource is aimed at nurses and nursing support workers across all settings and levels of practice, including students of health, social work and care professions.

Related courses and resources

;

Psychosocial Intervention Programme

;

Understanding mental capacity in adults and applying legislation to practice

Downloaded content date

PDF created on: 13 Sept 2025.

Downloaded from: https://uatlearncyan.rcn.org.uk/Search/Reducing-restrictive-practices.

Please check: https://rcnlearn.rcn.org.uk for a more up-to-date version of this content.

Last updated: 14/02/2023