It’s claimed that for children with additional needs to benefit in Clare, the Department of Education’s clear focus needs to be on tackling staffing deficits.
It follows the introduction of new guidelines which will aim to help schools deal with behaviour and crisis situations.
The new rules state seclusion should not be used under any circumstances in any recognised school setting and only permits physical restraint in emergency scenarios.
Examples of which are for safety reasons or an act of care and it must be done with the least amount of necessary force.
The circular says restraint should only be used a measure of last resort and when not doing so would lead to a serious risk of harm or injury or harm to the student or others.
All such incidents must be reported to the school’s principal and subsequently to the National Council of Special Education.
Manager of Clare Crusaders and former Independent Councillor Ann Norton believes these safeguards should have been in place long ago and says the Department’s focus should be addressing staffing deficits to protect students and teachers.
The guidelines were trialled in 15 special schools nationwide between November last year and February and the Department of Education received over 2,600 submissions as part of its public consultation process.
But Ireland’s national Autism charity has raised concern, that they won’t adequately protect Autistic children, as it feels the measures are not robust enough.
Ennis Voices for Autism Chair Gearóid Mannion says the best way to help these children and schools is providing more SNAs and teachers.
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