Several MPs are backing a campaign to scrap legislation that allows children in care to be handcuffed when they are transported between premises.
The Hope Instead of Handcuffs campaign, launched by Emily Aklan of children’s social care provider Serenity Welfare, says the use of handcuffs and physical restraints is damaging to vulnerable children in care.
It is currently legal for private transport providers to physically restrain children without the accountability of regulation or monitoring of restraint.
The campaign has received cross-party support from more than 20 MPs and peers, including Steve McCabe, chair of the all-party parliamentary group for looked-after children.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP for Streatham, has tabled a parliamentary motion saying a child who has not committed or who is not suspected of committing a crime should not be placed in handcuffs or any other form of physical restraint, and questioning the lack of any requirement to monitor their use.
Ms Aklan said: 'Not only is the use of handcuffs and physical restraints wholly unnecessary, but it is incredibly damaging to our vulnerable children in care who have already suffered insurmountable trauma.
'I’ve seen far too many children with red marks around their wrists with massive distrust towards the system which is supposed to be helping them.
'But with no need to monitor and report any use of handcuffs and safeguarding issues preventing children from being able to share their stories, it’s been incredibly difficult to prove just how widespread this issue is.'
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