Special Needs Teacher Banned Indefinitely Over Restraint

Benjamin Guilfoyle, a 39-year-old teacher at The Loyne Specialist School in Lancaster, has received an indefinite teaching ban following an incident in July 2022. The school, which serves pupils with severe learning difficulties, was the site where Guilfoyle was found to have inappropriately restrained a student during a song activity, causing distress and leaving a visible mark on the child's hand.

The teaching misconduct panel determined that Guilfoyle's actions violated the pupil's support plan and the school's policies. His failure to seek assistance from teaching assistants or employ calming techniques before resorting to physical restraint was a key finding. Concerns were also raised about his alleged disregard for safeguarding training and defiance of the headteacher's instructions post-incident.

Acting on behalf of the secretary of education, David Oatley emphasized the public interest in safeguarding vulnerable pupils. While Guilfoyle expressed remorse, the panel noted his insufficient insight into his behavior, deeming a prohibition order essential for public confidence. Guilfoyle can seek a review of the ban in two years.