✨ Guidelines for Registered Schools in New Zealand on the Use of Physical Restraint
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 89 — 1 SEPTEMBER 2017
- Parents/caregivers should be told as soon as possible on the same day about the incident and how it was managed in accordance with the guide.
- If the student resides in a residential school or home, the residential team should be told so the student’s wellbeing can be monitored after school.
Adapting the Individual Behaviour Plan
- Following an incident of physical restraint hold a meeting as soon as possible. Involve the team supporting the student, including the parents or caregivers, and the residential team manager if the student is enrolled in a residential school. Use the meeting to review the Individual Behaviour Plan and the physical restraint processes followed in the incident.
- In the updated plan, identify ways to prevent the need to use physical restraint in the future.
- Incorporate in the plan the suggestions of parents or caregivers and, if appropriate, the student.
- If a behaviour specialist from the Ministry or an RTLB is supporting the team around the student, involve them in the review of the plan.
- Put all relevant documentation in the student’s file, and copy it to the student’s teacher and parents or caregivers.
Training in safe responses
For the whole school
A training package, Understanding Behaviour – Responding Safely (UBRS), has been developed for New Zealand schools. It includes a full-day workshop for all staff and ongoing support afterwards. The training can be delivered in modules rather than a full day if this is a better option for your school. The focus is on preventative and de-escalation techniques. Contact your local Ministry of Education office for information about this training.
School staff should be made aware of the following:
- physical restraint should only be used in emergency situations, and only when less restrictive interventions have not ended the serious and imminent risk to the safety of the student or others.
- the forms of physical restraint that may compromise health and safety, and the serious physical risks associated with some physical restraint techniques. These include the risk of asphyxia and sudden death.
For the team supporting the student
- When a Ministry Learning Support Practitioner is part of the team supporting the student the team will be taught how to safely restrain the student, in situations when preventative and de-escalation strategies have not been effective, and physical restraint is part of an Individual Behaviour Plan. Parents and caregivers who have to use physical restraint in the home environment may want to be part of this training.
Reporting templates for physical restraint
Instructions
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NZ Gazette 2017, No 89
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Guidelines for Registered Schools in New Zealand on the Use of Physical Restraint
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🎓 Education, Culture & SciencePhysical Restraint, Guidelines, Registered Schools, Student Safety, Staff Wellbeing, Teachers, Authorised Staff, Legal Framework, Seclusion Ban, Board Responsibilities, Communication, Review, Good Practice, Risk Assessment, De-escalation Techniques, Physical Contact, Preventative Techniques, De-escalation Techniques, Student Support, Escalation Management, Restraint Techniques, Police Intervention, Reporting, Incident Documentation, Individual Behaviour Plan