Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2014
58. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will introduce regulations on the use of withdrawal rooms in schools, particularly in schools for children with autistic spectrum disorder. [3097/14]
View answer72. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to recent reports regarding the use of withdrawal rooms in schools, particularly in schools for children with autistic spectrum disorder; if he will be recommending a ban on the use of such rooms or very tight regulation on their use rather than the current position whereby guidelines on the use of the rooms are a matter for individual schools. [3098/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 72 together.
The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all of the pupils in their school. Schools should supervise and support children who are distressed or out of control until they have recovered and are able to re-engage in the classroom. Schools may seek advice from their local National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologist, from their NCSE Special Educational Needs Organiser, or from the National Behavioural Support Services, as to how children with behavioural needs can best be supported in school.
Schools withdraw pupils occasionally from the main classroom for short periods of time in order to provide such support/to manage pupil behaviour if they are exhibiting behaviours which may be a danger to themselves and others.
The Department has recently published new Guidelines for Schools on Supporting Students with Behavioural, Emotional, and Social difficulties and training is available for schools in relation to the provision of support for children with special educational needs from the Special Education Support Services (SESS), who can, as part of their designated training modules, provide guidance for schools in relation to containment or management measures for difficult behaviour.
My Department has asked the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to prepare Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In developing this policy advice, the NCSE will consult widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties while also conducting research in relation to this area. As part of the process to develop this policy advice, the NCSE will consider the issue of the use of withdrawal/isolation rooms in schools for children with autism.
Where a parent or any other person has concerns about the care or safety of a child they should report these concerns to the Board of Management of the school, or may report the matter as a child protection concern to the HSE or to the Department of Education and Skills.
