SCHOOLS —
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
198. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Minister for Education and
Training:
I refer to the use of restrictive
practices like restraint and seclusion in Western Australian public schools.
(1) Does the government aim to
reduce the use of restrictive practices in schools?
(2) If yes to (1), what action is
being taken?
(3) If no to (1),why not?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I provide this answer on behalf of
the Minister for Education and Training, who is away from the chamber on urgent
parliamentary business. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) The Department
of Education's intention is to equip public school staff to effectively
manage and de-escalate aggressive behaviour whenever possible. Physical
restraint or protective isolation will remain as an option for use in public
schools.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) From 2019,
training in de-escalation techniques is being provided to all graduate teachers
in public schools and the ''Physical Contact with Students''
guideline, revised in late 2018, provides clarity on expectations of public
school staff, including the application of contact that may be considered
restrictive in nature. Physical restraint and protective isolation will be
employed only when a student's emotional and behavioural state presents
an imminent risk of harm to self or others.