Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
193. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken by her Department to ensure there is sufficient guidance and regulation in place in schools in relation to managing students' behaviour in the interests of both pupils, teachers and management, in view of recent reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9845/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for his question. My Department is preparing guidelines for schools in supporting students on Understanding Behaviours of Concern and Responding to Crisis Situations. The Guidelines in preparation are designed to develop and enhance schools’ understanding of behaviours of concern and to assist them in managing crisis situations.
In response to the identified need for guidance for schools, the DE established a working group (WG) to develop guidelines for schools on the prevention and management of behaviour that challenges, where such behaviour poses imminent danger of serious physical harm to self or others within the school environment.
The guidelines place a strong focus on prevention and early intervention strategies for the management of crisis situations in which physical intervention may be employed only as the last part of a comprehensive, positive and planned behavioural approach by the school. They are underpinned by the principles that such intervention is never used for the purposes of discipline; that it should be applied proportionately and should last only as long as is necessary to de-escalate the situation. The guidelines underline the importance of continued supervision of children during a crisis period including matters related to behaviour and the need for such incidents to be recorded. They also make clear that seclusion of children is inappropriate.
Development of the guidelines has been informed by evidence showing that whole school positive behavioural approaches and early and ongoing engagement with the school community, including parents/guardians, are necessary for the development of effective school policy and practice. In developing the guidelines the expert working group reviewed national and international legislative requirements, school governance structures and duty of care considerations directly related to supporting the wellbeing and safety of students and staff.
These guidelines have been developed in the context of the DES Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice (2018, revised 2019), which acknowledges the role of schools in the promotion of wellbeing.
These guidelines have been developed to address uncertainty for staff on how to respond when facing crisis situation where there are concerns regarding physical safety. They focus on creating inclusive environments which can respond to need and build on good practice including prevention and de-escalation.
These guidelines apply to all recognised schools. They have been informed by evidence showing that whole school support culture and approaches and early and ongoing engagement with the school community, including parents/guardians, are necessary for the development of effective school policy and practice when supporting a student in a crisis situation.
The draft Guidelines are currently being trialled in a number of special schools and the Inspectorate is currently engaging with those schools with a view to obtaining feedback that will inform the final version of the Guidelines, which are due to be published later this school year.
A range of training options will be available to schools once the Guidelines are published, including procured training on understanding behaviours of concern and responding to crisis situations. Special schools will be prioritised for access to this element of the training options in the first instance.
Currently, a range of guidance is available for schools in relation to behaviour. The Department of Education published Autism Guidance in 2022 which contains information on behaviours. Tusla's Educational Welfare Service has published guidelines for schools on Codes of Behaviour and NEPS published Guidelines for Supporting Pupils with Behavioural, Emotional, and Social Difficulties; available on the gov.ie website, gov.ie - gov.ie - National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) resources and publications (www.gov.ie)
