Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan has said the routine use of restraint and seclusion against school children should stop. 

The party’s spokesperson for children and young people was speaking after the Department of Education published interim guidance on the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. 

Nicola Brogan said: 

“Restraint should never be used unless a child is at risk of harming themselves or others. 

“Unfortunately, official guidance issued today reinforces out of date notions of restraint as acceptable to maintain discipline and good order while implying the use of isolation is acceptable as long as the door isn’t locked. 

“De-escalation techniques provide a welcome alternative to the use of force and denial of liberty.”