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Copy of Trust Policy > Seclusion Practices

Freedom of Information request Seclusion Practices

Response published: 2 June 2026
Copy of Trust Policy | MH Services

FOI Request

To whomever this concerns, I'm an MSc student studying Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Manchester. I'm currently conducting a research project as part of my degree, where I am exploring seclusion practices in the NHS. The data from this request would be used as part of my analysis, and, therefore, would be greatly appreciated. Please could you send me all the trust policies related to seclusion practices? For example: in what circumstances these practices should be used; how they should be used; staff training; any guidance on ensuring practice is trauma-informed; and how the process is monitored or reviewed. I would like to make it clear that this request is not for any individualised patient data. Please be assured that your Trust's name will be anonymised as part of my analysis. Kind regards,

FOI Response

Freedom of Information Request – Ref: FOI 144-2026

Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information request. Please find our response below.

You asked:

Please could you send me all the trust policies related to seclusion practices?

Our response:

The Trust is committed to providing safe and effective services. Having a clear policy on how to manage the occasions that require the use of the De-Escalation Suite (DS) or the Extra Care Area (ECA) within inpatient settings is important for understanding the range of options for managing staff and service user safety. The use of de-escalation and Extra Care Areas is different to traditional seclusion (i.e. locking a service user alone in a room) as outlined in this policy. It is important to ensure there is a consistent approach to safeguarding. The policy also supports the framework to ensure that the procedures employed are consistent with the Mental Health Act Code of Practice (2015). This was last ratified in October 2025.

CLP225 De-escalation Suite DS or Extra Care Area V8 issued 30.10.25

Next steps:

Should you have any queries in relation to our response, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are unhappy with the response you have received in relation to your request and wish to ask us to review our response, you should write to:

Louise Moss
Head of Legal Services / Associate Director of Corporate Governance
c/o Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Edward Jenner Court
1010 Pioneer Avenue
Gloucester Business Park
Brockworth, GL3 4AW
E-mail: louise.moss@ghc.nhs.uk

If you are not content with the outcome of any review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for further advice/guidance. Generally, the ICO will not consider your case unless you have exhausted your enquiries with the Trust which should include considering the use of the Trust’s formal complaints procedure. The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.