Statement from the OCO on the new guidelines for schools dealing with behaviours of concern
The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) welcomes the publication of these long-awaited guidelines, which we hope will provide much needed advice to schools, parents and children on how best to manage behaviours that may place children or others at risk. Importantly, we welcome the guidelines acknowledge that the wellbeing and rights of the children involved are impacted by the use of restraint. This issue is something we have been engaging with the Department of Education on for some time.
Every year we deal with complaints from parents who are deeply unhappy with the use of restrictive practices with their child and we also hear from schools who are at a loss on how best to keep everyone safe. Therefore, we welcome the focus on prevention and de-escalation to prevent the need to restrain a child and the explicit ban on the use of seclusion on children in any circumstances.
However, the OCO believes there are a number of areas where the guidelines should be strengthened.
Published by www.oco.ie, 16th December 2024