📢ICARS Person(s) of the Year 2025 Keith Cooper and Will Stewart 🏆 ICARS is proud to recognise Keith Cooper and Will Stewart as our Person(s) of the Year for 2025. Their national reporting has reshaped public understanding of the harms faced by disabled children in England’s education system.

Great journalism, as practiced by Keith Cooper and Will Stewart today, and the investigative team at the Hartford Courant 25 years ago, serves the public interest, defends the most vulnerable and makes a difference.

"The UK placed 37th out of 38 OECD countries on this measure"

@droliverlewis.bsky.social @caoilfhionn.bsky.social @jentwright.bsky.social @oliverconway.bsky.social

The children have spoken. England's children are telling the world what happened to them. It’s time England's lawmakers started listening and acting. #AgainstRestraint

Vulnerable children have been left with “terrible” injuries and trauma because of their treatment by staff at a taxpayer-funded private special school, The i Paper has been told 🔴 @KeithCooper1973 reports trib.al/wEssfQZ

Tonight at 9pm on Channel 4, Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution airs — and I’m so proud to have been featured. As someone with dyslexia, it means the world to see Jamie Oliver championing this issue. Please tune in and be part of the revolution. #DyslexiaRevolution #ComeOnBridget

Very proud of our lawyers Jennifer Wright @jentwright.bsky.social and Katie Sinclair, finalists in this year's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards - Jennifer for Public Law and Katie for Legal Aid Newcomer. A testament to their fantastic work for our legal aid clients @lalyawards.bsky.social #LALY25

🧵 In an English classroom governed by rigid behaviour policies, a child’s distress is overlooked, not because no one sees her, but because the system doesn't allow space for understanding it. Her torn drawing is more than sadness, it’s the fallout of punitive behaviour policies 👇 #AgainstRestraint

This is what £70,000 of taxpayers’ money on ‘de-escalation and restraint’ training gets you. ICARS obtained this data via FOI (2018–2023) and submitted it to the SEND National Crisis Inquiry. Another disabled child restrained. This is systemic. Gov’t must act. www.bbc.com/news/article...

A primary school child was left alone in a school toilet for 3+ hrs. No food. No water. Staff lied. There’ll be hearings. But under new guidance? Nothing changes for kids—just more £ for the Restraint Industrial Complex. #AgainstRestraint bit.ly/3RdF2Onint

In England, “good order and discipline” are used to justify restraint, seclusion / isolation. Disabled children are harmed — not helped — by this abuse of power. Manifestation of disability is not bad behaviour. #AgainstRestraint

If harm keeps happening, it’s not a system that’s broken — it’s a system working exactly as designed. Restraint and seclusion aren’t accidental. They’re embedded. Time to dismantle the machine. 🧡 #WhatsBehindTheHold #AgainstRestraint

Coming April 2025: The “What’s Behind the Hold” Survey We’re calling on families in England to share their lived experience of the training behind restraint and seclusion in English schools. Because behind every hold, there’s a child A family A story that deserves to be heard #WhatsBehindTheHold

If these restraint techniques are “safe,” why is this English Multi Academy Trust monitoring children’s breathing during use? This shows the risk to life for the disabled and neurodivergent children they’re used on. When breathing must be monitored, safety is already compromised. #AgainstRestraint

Let’s be clear. Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) is not for neurodivergent students who do not have a learning disability. So why are millions in taxpayer money being spent to train as many schools as possible in PBS ? #RevenueForRestraint #WhatsBehindTheHold

From the Irish Joint Committee on Disability Matters: "Behavioural interventionist therapies... cannot uphold the UNCRPD principles of autonomy, dignity, right to identity, and freedom from non-consensual or degrading treatment." #RestraintForRevenue #WhatsBehindTheHold

The T-wrap hold was removed from training in 2020. Yet in 2025, it’s still being used in schools and listed in behaviour policies across England. Why? Because restraint training is unregulated—no oversight, no accountability, no one watching. 👀 #RestraintForRevenue #WhatsBehindTheHold

Support @againstrestraint.com

The abusive use of restraints stems directly from a lack of training and oversight. It puts vulnerable ppl at grave risk. The character of a society is always illustrated in how it protects vulnerable ppl. Or how it does not.

📢 Must-watch: @aimautistic.bsky.social l CEO Emma Dalmayne and ICARS team member speaks on Sky News about the urgent need for autism mental health services across the UK. ⚠️ This report discusses mental health & suicide.

📢 Emma Dalmayne, CEO of Autistic Inclusive Meets (@aimautistic.bsky.social) and part of the ICARS Team on Sky News with her son Damien. ⚠️ This report discusses mental health & suicide. #MentalHealth #DisabilityRights #AgainstRestraint 🔗 Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=SYnm...

"When we ask for accommodations, we are not asking for special treatment or being selfish. We are simply advocating for our needs to be met so that we can fully participate and contribute to the world around us." -The Autistic Teacher. www.facebook.com/autisticteac... #neurodiversity #autism

CW: Child Abuse. The video shows Alex Cornelius, a non-speaking 10-year-old autistic child, seemingly being slapped by his special education teacher. www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/v...

ICARS appreciate the concern regarding the video of a 12-year-old SEN student being restrained in a London school. At present, this is the only comment ICARS will be making. Our focus remains on supporting the family and advocating for necessary legislative protections. #AgainstRestraint

Blanket behavior policies don’t ‘manage’ behavior—they erase disabled children’s needs. Children deserve equity, not restraint and seclusion. It’s time to dismantle policies that harm. #AgainstRestraint

This shouldn’t have to be said, but before supporting any proposed legislation, ask for the text and read it first. A good title doesn’t guarantee good policy. Dig into the details—who benefits, who is harmed, and what the long-term impact is. In advocacy, due diligence is everything. #ReadTheBill

📢 ICARS Team Announcement! 🚨 We’re thrilled to welcome Kieran Rose as our Autistic Rights, Identity & Research Lead! 🎉 A respected advocate, researcher, and author, Kieran has been a longtime ICARS consultant, bringing vital insights into the autistic experience. Join us in welcoming him! 💪✨

We are absolutely thrilled! A huge thank you to Lives In The Balance for answering our call to action, and to all the dedicated advocates, parents, and members of the SEA Committee who worked tirelessly to make this a reality. This shows that collective advocacy can change lives #AgainstRestraint

Watch Jack and Lea’s story here: youtu.be/gxRBdLZIS3k Follow Lea’s advocacy: FB, IG, TikTok: @togetherisbetter.uk X: @2gevabetteruk

🧵 TRIGGER WARNING: DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES TO A CHILD Another Autistic Child Brutalised in an English School—Let's Demand Accountability and Protection for Our Children! Emma Dalmayne CEO of Autistic Inclusive Meets and ICARS Team has launched an urgent petition. www.change.org/p/another-au...

I saw my client in shackles last week in hospital. My client was unable to walk due to medical complications following birth but their 3 private prison guards needed the shackles for their own “safety” grotesque.

📢 ICARS Announcement: Welcoming David Gray-Hammond! 🎉 @emergentdivergence.com Since 2020, David Gray-Hammond has been a valued collaborator in ICARS' mission to end restraint and seclusion. 🧵

📢 ICARS Announcement: Welcoming Emma Dalmayne to the Team! @aimautistic.bsky.social Since 2020, Emma has been a key ally in our fight to end restraint & seclusion. A fierce advocate for autistic rights, she has exposed harm, amplified neurodivergent voices & pushed for systemic change. 🧵

If your not watching #c4news appalled you should be. Savage cruelty to pregnant women.

The article "Children ‘at risk of harm’ in SEND schools that charge the state up to £116,000 in fees" from the weekend is now in today’s i Paper @theipaper.com Grab your copy and read about the urgent issues surrounding restraint in SEND schools. @kijcooper1973.bsky.social #RestraintForRevenue

Day 2, 'Children ‘at risk of harm’ in SEND schools charging taxpayer fees of up to £116k' by @kijcooper1973.bsky.social is again the top-read story in @theipaper.com. Parents and the public care about the harms disabled children face in schools. This issue isn’t going away—and neither are we!

Children being restrained as a daily occurrence Children who say they don’t feel safe at school Children with PTSD from being restrained = £34 million pound profit Good or Outstanding Ofsted ratings It should be a much bigger scandal than it is.

📢 Ofsted finds pupils at risk of harm in SEND schools run by Witherslack, despite taxpayer fees of up to £116k. "The proprietor has not ensured that all staff have the knowledge and experience they need..." Full story via @theipaper ⬇️ 🔗 inews.co.uk/news/educati... #RestraintForRevenue

Three Ofsted reports in just three weeks have raised serious concerns about the use of restraint in Witherslack schools. England’s Children’s Commissioner and MPs must go beyond concern—meaningful action is needed to protect disabled children. #RestraintForRevenue #AgainstRestraint @theipaper.com

The DfE claims it will take 'swift enforcement action' on restraint in SEND schools, including closures. Why did it take years of harm for action? #RestraintForRevenue Children ‘at risk of harm’ in SEND schools charging taxpayer fees of up to £116k, i Paper, Feb 16, 2025. @kijcooper1973.bsky.social

Currently the number 1 story in The I Paper @theipaper.com The public cares, and so should policymakers. It's time for real legislative change to protect children from harmful restraint and seclusion. #RestraintForRevenue

Abusive and excessive use of restraints harms society’s most vulnerable people. When restraints are used without proper training or human regard, they cause emotional anguish, physical suffering and even deaths My friends at @againstrestraint.com are protecting against these abuses of human rights

The 3rd article from The i Paper's investigation into the use of restraint and seclusion in England’s schools. We remain committed to speaking to the press and pushing for legislative reform to protect children from these harmful practices. @AgainstRestraint #RestraintForRevenue

‘Painfully slow and totally inadequate’—Years of warnings about restraint in Witherslack schools, yet meaningful action is only happening now. We will not stop pushing for accountability and legislative reform to protect children. Citing @icarsbecky.bsky.social #RestraintForRevenue"

'Painfully slow and totally inadequate’—Concerns about restraint in Witherslack schools were raised years ago, yet action has only come now. Families say children have been left traumatized. How many more need to be harmed before real accountability? #RestraintForRevenue inews.co.uk/news/educati...

Private schools receiving millions of pounds of taxpayer cash to educate children with special needs have used excessive restraint on pupils and failed to manage their behaviour, leaving them “at risk of harm”, The i Paper can reveal. #RestraintForRevenue inews.co.uk/news/educati...

UK lawyers defending Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai are facing threats of rape, dismemberment, and death—believed to be from the Chinese state. Intimidation tactics like this threaten justice everywhere. ✊ @caoilfhionn.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...