Seclusion and Restraint Practices in Residential Treatment Facilities for Children and Youth

Using data from two national surveys, this article examines the extent to which residential treatment facilities consistently implement certain practices following incidents of seclusion or restraint. The study found that 76 percent of facilities reported having secluded or restrained youth in the previous year; 34 percent of these facilities reported that, following such incidents, they always debrief the youth, family, and staff; notify the attending physician; and record the incident in the treatment plan.