Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 February 2014
70. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the issue of isolation or withdrawal rooms in ASD units in national schools here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7044/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that 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. Some 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. The NCSE will consider the issue of the use of withdrawal/isolation rooms in schools for children with autism in the context of the policy advice.
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.
