Use of seclusion in schools to be brought to an end

New guidelines have been published which should bring an end to the seclusion of children in schools as a form of punishment.

The Department of Education guidelines for schools to deal with behaviours of concern and crisis situations state that the placement of a student involuntarily in any environment in which they are alone and physically prevented from leaving, is "inappropriate in the school context and should not be used".

The new rules also state that the physical restraint of a child should only be carried out strictly as a measure of last resort and only where there is an imminent risk of serious physical harm or injury to the student or the safety of others.

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Published by RTÉ.ie, 12th December 2024