How a service defines restraint can influence an individual’s treatment. Zara Clarke and Helen Elford examine the various definitions of restraint in use

The issue of restraint is topical and important when working with people with learning disabilities. However, there are differences of opinion over how the word ‘restraint’ should be defined that have significant implications for how practice is viewed and which care pathways are followed. In this article, the authors look at different definitions of restraint and the implications of using them. The authors argue for the adoption of a broad definition and hope to provoke debate about this issue.