Supportive holding or restraint: terminology and practice.

The meaning of supportive holding versus restraint in children's nursing has been debated for some time. Supportive holding has been defined as a hold that supports the child through a therapeutic intervention, and restraint as a hold that overpowers the child who may be a danger to themselves or others. Both are conducted in the philosophy of best interest. The Royal College of Nursing (2010) guidance suggests adopting the terms therapeutic holding and restrictive physical intervention. This article was accepted before the new guidance was published. However, with authors still using terms interchangeably, it is important to debate whether there is a clear demarcation in terminology and practice, or whether one is a continuation of the other, differentiated by the degree of force used.