Daniel Johnson MSP is proposing a Member's Bill to Parliament to ensure restraint and seclusion of children and young people in schools is only used as a last resort where there is an immediate risk of harm and using appropriate methods. You can read the consultation document here.
The proposals would:
- Put restraint and seclusion guidance on a statutory basis.
- Create a requirement to record and report all incidents to an existing Scottish Government body (such as Education Scotland) in a national standardised format, and establish a role for this body to monitor the approach to seclusion and restraint in schools and make recommendations for improvement.
- Inform parents or carers of each incidence of seclusion or restraint including details of the circumstances and the methods used.
- Implement a consistent complaints process to provide a clear route for concerns over seclusions and restraint to be escalated.
- Provide a statutory basis for standards of training for school staff including teachers and teaching assistants.
- Require data including on the incidence of seclusion and restraint to be regularly published by the Scottish Government and reported to Parliament.
You can read Connect’s response here.