60 social welfare – children • The unit had the policy of imposing a 24-hour restriction of movement automatically for any unauthorised absences; the restrictions of movement were understood as educational restrictions at the unit. The Deputy-Ombudsman noted that the grounds for the restriction of movement and its extent and duration must always be considered individually, and that a blanket decision on a day-long disciplinary restriction of movement is comparable to punishment. The Deputy-Ombudsman pointed out that the educational methods adopted must always be selected and scaled on an individual basis and that educational restrictive measures should never be used as a form of punishment or as a consequence of a child’s behaviour. The Deputy-Ombudsman stated that if the restriction of movement in practice means the restriction of communication, a separate decision on the restriction of communication must be issued. • The unit had adopted a policy according to which a child could not attend school while under restriction of movement. According to the Deputy-Ombudsman, such as policy is not based on the law and, as a rule, children should be given the opportunity to learn and participate in leisure activities as normal. The arrangements must always be based on individual consideration and the child’s circumstances, while taking into account the grounds for the decision on the restriction of movement. The Deputy-Ombudsman took the initiative to investigate the decision-making procedures adopted at the unit for restrictions of movement. The role of social workers • It became apparent during the visit that some of the children’s designated social workers met with their clients only rarely or never met with them one-to-one. Contact requests made by children are not always even responded to. The Deputy-Ombudsman investigated on her own initiative in what ways the right of the children placed in the unit to private conversations and confidential meetings with their social workers, as required in the Child Welfare Act, is honoured in practice. The Deputy-Ombudsman took the initiative to investigate the manner in which social workers responded to contact requests and other messages sent by the children in their care.