Mental Health Act 20266

Regulations concerning restrictive practices on children

96. (1) The Commission may, with the consent of the Minister, and following consultation with the Minister and Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, make regulations providing for the application of a restrictive practice in respect of a child who is in the care of a registered acute mental health centre.

(2) In particular, but without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under subsection (1) may provide for any or all of the following matters:

(a) the application of a restrictive practice in respect of a child (including the application of the practice on a child with dignity and respect);

(b) the principles underpinning the application of a restrictive practice;

(c) the interaction of the application of a restrictive practice and the guiding principles referred to in section 9 (including that the best interests and the welfare of the child shall be the primary consideration) to apply in respect of children;

(d) the procedures governing the application of a restrictive practice (including procedures in respect of the ordering and initiation of a restrictive practice in respect of a child and the persons who should be notified of such ordering and initiation);

(e) the records to be maintained in relation to the application of a restrictive practice in respect of a child;

(f) the monitoring of the application of a restrictive practice on a child;

(g) the procedures for the renewal of the application of a restrictive practice in relation to a child;

(h) the procedures concerning the discontinuation of the application of a restrictive practice on a child (including who may order the discontinuation of such application and under what circumstances);

(i) the facilities to be provided in a registered acute mental health centre for the application of a restrictive practice on a child;

(j) the training and experience of relevant health professionals or specified persons who apply a restrictive practice in relation to a child;

(k) the clinical governance of a restrictive practice, including written policies by a registered acute mental health centre on the application of a restrictive practice on a child;

(l) the use of CCTV or other electronic monitoring in relation to seclusion of a child;

(m) any other matters which are necessary or expedient for the purposes of giving effect to subsection (1).

(3) A person who contravenes a regulation made under this section that is stated to be a penal regulation shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a class A fine.