(Ireland) Special needs children restrained more than 460 times since Sept.
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CHILDREN with special needs have been physically restrained in schools more than 460 times since the beginning of the academic year, with a number of incidents resulting in injury.
New guidelines on the management of “crisis situations” in classrooms were introduced last September, requiring schools to report all instances of physical restraint involving students with special education needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) received a total of 461 such reports in the first five months following the introduction of the guidelines, some of which included details of injuries suffered during the incidents.
A total of 54 reports received by the NCSE on the same day last October appear to relate to restraint incidents at the same school during a 44-day period, involving two children identified as “Student A” and “Student B”.
The new guidelines were criticised last year by Special Rapporteur on Child Protection Caoilfhionn Gallagher, who noted that schools were obliged to provide only generic information regarding incidents.
The circular outlining the guidelines explicitly states that the NCSE has no investigative role in instances of physical restraint, and Ms Gallagher said it had no way of knowing the identities of the children or staff members involved. . . .
Records released by the NCSE under the Freedom of Information Act show that photographs of injuries arising from restraint were included in a number of reports received from schools. . . .
There were 358 reports relating to the use of restraint on students with special education needs filed between September and the end of last year, while another 103 were filed in January.
In response to a parliamentary question last year, Minister of State Michael Moynihan said the guidelines were underpinned by the principle that restraint should never be used for disciplinary purposes.
It should be applied proportionately and should last only as long as is necessary to de-escalate the situation, he added.
Minister Moynihan said: “The department is monitoring incidents with physical restraint and is working with the NCSE to ensure there is engagement between the NCSE and individual schools in circumstances where a physical restraint has been used involving students with special education needs.
“The guidelines do not replace any existing obligations or processes, statutory or otherwise, that already exist in this area. If a parent wishes to make a complaint, they should follow the complaints procedure as set out by the school.
“If there are child protection allegations, Tusla and An Garda Síochána continue to be the relevant authorities.
The NCSE did not respond to a request for comment.
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