Understanding the Use of Force Act: A Brief Overview for UK Care Professionals
The Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018, often referred to as Seni’s Law, is a vital piece of legislation designed to improve accountability, transparency, and safety around the use of force in mental health settings.
For professionals working in mental health, social care, and related services, understanding the legal duties and ethical implications of using force is essential to delivering compassionate, person-centred care.
At Respect Training, we support organisations by equipping staff with the skills, confidence, and ethical grounding to respond safely — always using restraint as a last resort.
This article offers a brief overview for informational purposes only. It does not replace accredited training. Only through recognised, accredited programmes can professionals develop the competency required to apply the law safely and effectively.
What does the law say about the Use of Force?
The Act was introduced following the tragic death of Olaseni Lewis in 2010 and aims to ensure that any use of force in mental health units is lawful, transparent, and accountable.
Key legal provisions include:
- Use of force must be reasonable, necessary, and proportionate to the risk of harm.
- Force should only be used when all other de-escalation options have been exhausted.
- All incidents involving use of force must be accurately recorded and retained for at least 3 years.
- Patients (and where appropriate, their families or advocates) must be informed and involved in discussions around the use of force.
- Mental health units must publish a use-of-force policy and ensure that staff are aware of it.
- Staff must be trained in accordance with the statutory guidance, which includes trauma-informed and anti-discriminatory practice.
The Respect Training Approach: Restraint Only as a Last Resort
We are fully aligned with the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) Training Standards, which promote:
- Human rights
- Trauma-informed care
- Person-centred decision-making
At Respect, we teach that any use of restraint or restrictive practice reflects a breakdown of preventative support and should be considered only in scenarios where there is a real, immediate risk of harm that cannot be managed through other means.
Ethical and clinical risks of using force
Understanding the risks associated with restraint and restrictive interventions is crucial:
- Physical injury: Improper use can result in serious or unintended harm.
- Psychological trauma: Restraint can be distressing and potentially re-traumatising.
- Legal liability: Unlawful or excessive force may lead to disciplinary action, litigation, or criminal charges.
- Therapeutic damage: Even necessary interventions can strain the therapeutic relationship if not handled with care, transparency, post-incident support and de-briefing.
Organisational responsibilities under Seni’s Law
Care providers, NHS Trusts, and independent mental health units have a statutory duty to:
- Ensure all staff receive regular, accredited training
- Publish and disseminate a clear Use of Force policy
- Record and reflect on every incident involving force
- Promote a culture of restraint reduction, transparency, and human rights
- Treat every individual in care with dignity and respect
Understanding the legal context of force is just one part of delivering ethical care. To truly create safe, compassionate, and legally compliant environments, organisations must invest in continuous training, staff support, and reflective practice.