Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
802. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the role of the National Council for Special Education in providing advice to schools, principals and boards of management on how to manage children with behavioural needs. [11757/15]
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 may seek advice from their local National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) psychologist, from their National Council for Special Education (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.
Training is also 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.
There are a number of published guidelines available to schools:
- The Department recently published new Guidelines for Schools on Supporting Students with Behavioural, Emotional, and Social difficulties, which are available on the Department's website www.education.ie
- The Child and Family Agency has also developed guidelines for schools on Codes of Behaviour. In developing a Code of Behaviour schools must specify the standards of behaviour that shall be observed by each student attending the school. All parents must be made aware of behaviour management strategies employed by a school.
- The National Educational Psychological Services document Behavioural Emotional and Social Difficulties - a Continuum of Support: Guidelines for Teachers also provides advice for teachers.
Schools are therefore supported by guidance and training and may also seek additional advice and assistance from NEPS and the NCSE, if required.
