Scotland Passes ‘Calum’s Law’ on School Restraint
Why this is here: The bill requires schools to inform parents about instances of restraint or seclusion, addressing a key concern for families whose children may not be able to easily communicate what happened at school.
Scotland’s parliament unanimously approved ‘Calum’s Law’ regulating restraint and seclusion of students in schools. The legislation requires ministers to issue guidance on using restraint and seclusion, ensuring it occurs only as a last resort when immediate harm is possible.
The law, named for Calum Morrison, a student with learning disabilities, autism, and epilepsy, also mandates that schools inform parents when restraint or seclusion is used. Schools must now record and report all incidents.
Calum’s mother, Beth Morrison, campaigned for over a decade after her son was restrained until he lost consciousness. Labour’s Daniel Johnson introduced the member’s bill and praised Morrison and fellow advocate Kate Sanger. The new law does not apply to nursery settings.