WAC 110-301-0335. Physical restraint

(1) A school-age provider must have written physical restraint protocols pursuant to WAC 110-301-0490 and implement such protocols only when appropriate and after complying with all requirements of WAC 110-301-0330 and 110-301-0331 . (2) Physical restraint must only be used if a child's safety or the safety of others is threatened and must be: (a) Limited to holding a child as gently as possible to accomplish restraint; (b) Limited to the minimum amount of time necessary to control the situation; (c) Developmentally appropriate; and (d) Only performed by a school-age provider trained in the program's child restraint policy, pursuant to WAC 110-301-0490 . (3) A school-age provider must not use bonds, ties, blankets, straps, or heavy weights (including an adult sitting on a child) to physically restrain children. (4) Licensees, program directors, site directors, and lead teachers or trained staff must remove themselves from a situation if they sense a loss of their own self-control and concern for the child when using a restraint technique if another school-age provider is present. A school-age provider must intervene when the provider observes another staff member or volunteer using inappropriate restraint techniques. (5) If physical restraint is used, staff must: (a) Report the use of physical restraint, pursuant to WAC 110-301-0475 (2)(f); (b) Assess any incident of physical restraint to determine if the decision to use physical restraint and its application were appropriate; (c) Document the incident in the child's file, including the date, time, school-age program staff involved, duration, and what happened before, during, and after the child was restrained; (d) Develop a written plan with input from the child's primary care or mental health provider, and the parents or guardians, to address underlying issues and reduce need for further physical restraint if: (i) Physical restraint has been used more than once; and (ii) A plan is not already a part of the child's individual care plan. (e) Notify the department when a written plan has been developed.