Shocking footage of autistic boy restrained in 'calming room' sparks national concern
BBC investigation raises fresh concerns over restraint and seclusion in UK schools
A BBC investigation has revealed disturbing CCTV footage showing a 12-year-old autistic pupil being physically restrained by five members of staff inside a seclusion room at a special school in Leeds.
Described by restraint experts as “brutal”, “unlawful” and “unnecessary”, the incident has reignited debate about how schools manage challenging behaviour in pupils with additional needs — and how much parents are told about what happens behind closed doors.
What the footage shows
The footage, recorded in October 2023 at Springwell Leeds Academy (North site), shows a boy being held face-down on the floor in what’s known as a prone restraint.
It was obtained by the boy’s mum, Zoe, via a subject access request, and later shared with the BBC.
I was horrified. This is a child and these are five grown adults in a school where he’s supposed to be safe.
"A calming room should be a room for children to calm down with blankets, teddies and soft lighting. Not a padded cell. You wouldn’t put an animal in there.”
The footage also shows the child repeatedly restrained over a 50-minute period, before being pulled to the floor after swinging his arm towards staff. He’s then held for around three minutes.
Experts say it ‘should never have happened’
Eric Baskind, an expert in institutional use of force who reviewed the footage for the BBC, called the restraint “too brutal, unnecessary and, in my view, unlawful”.
“They just dragged him into the prone position,” he said. “That would have been really traumatic. It would have escalated the hostility in the situation – the exact opposite of what they ought to have been trying to do.”
Education consultant Elizabeth Swan, also asked by the BBC to review the footage, said the use of force was “unreasonable, excessive and unnecessarily prolonged”.
She added that the room itself resembled a “holding cell” and warned that sensory deprivation could be especially traumatic for autistic children.
What the school said
Wellspring Academy Trust, which runs the school, said three investigations – including one by Leeds City Council – found no wrongdoing by staff.
CEO Mark Wilson described the footage as “selective” and “lacking context and sound”, adding that incidents like this happen “from time to time” in schools.
The school is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
Not an isolated case
The BBC has also spoken to other families with similar stories. One eight-year-old boy, speaking anonymously, said he was repeatedly locked in seclusion rooms at age five.
“It was just very scary,” he told the BBC. “Because they can put me in there for as long as they want.”
The BBC’s wider investigation began after discovering footage of autistic pupils being mistreated at Whitefield School in London, where calming rooms were used until 2017.
Children were shown being pushed into rooms with padded walls, thrown to the floor, and even left sitting in vomit.
Despite this, there is currently no legal requirement for schools in England to tell parents when a child has been placed in seclusion.
What’s changing – and what’s not
From September, schools in England will be legally required to inform parents when restraint is used. But there’s still no law covering the use of seclusion – something campaigners say urgently needs to change.
Gemma Grant from the Challenging Behaviour Foundation told the BBC, “Seclusion rooms are outdated and inhumane. They should be banned.”
In Scotland, schools are advised to report seclusion incidents as soon as possible, but it’s not a legal requirement. Northern Ireland is developing guidance. In Wales, schools are asked to obtain parental consent.
What parents need to know
If your child has additional needs, and you’re worried about restraint or seclusion at school:
- Ask about behaviour policies: Request copies of your child’s school policies on physical intervention and calming rooms.
- Talk to your child: If they’re verbal, ask gentle, open-ended questions about their day. If they’re not, watch for changes in behaviour.
- Request records: You can make a Subject Access Request to ask for CCTV or written records relating to your child.
- Seek support: Charities like IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice), the National Autistic Society and the Challenging Behaviour Foundation can help you understand your rights.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.