New data reveals 850 incidents of physical restraint involving children since September, sparking concerns over oversight, transparency, and the welfare of vulnerable pupils amid calls for stronger safeguards and mandatory staff training.
Children with special educational needs were physically restrained 850 times in schools since last September, according to figures released by the National Council for Special Education, renewing concern among disability advocates about weak oversight and a lack of transparency around what happens to pupils after such incidents.
The data, disclosed under freedom of information law, shows that of the reported cases, 766 involved students categorised as having special educational needs, while just 16 did not. The remainder were not classified. The figures come after the Department of Education introduced new guidance at the end of 2024 setting out when restraint may be used in schools and requiring incidents to be reported.
Under the guidance, restraint is meant to be reserved for crisis situations in which a child is at immediate risk of serious physical harm to themselves or others. It is defined as a procedure in which one or more adults restrict a pupil’s movement or normal access to their own body. The rules say it should never be a first response and must be proportionate, appropriate and carried out by trained staff.
The NCSE released the spreadsheet used to log school reports, but withheld further contextual material, including details of the school type, the child’s age, the date of each incident and general descriptions of what took place. It also said it holds no data on seclusion, which the guidelines ban outright and define as confining a pupil alone in a space from which they cannot leave.
Inclusion Ireland said the figures raise serious safeguarding concerns. Chief executive Derval McDonagh said the NCSE’s acknowledgement that it has no power to investigate restraint or seclusion was deeply troubling, adding that families still do not know what support followed each incident or whether children remain exposed to the same treatment. She said the absence of seclusion records does not prove it is not happening.
AsIAm, the autism charity, said the delay in publishing the reported data was unacceptable and argued that the current rules are not strong enough, rights-compliant enough or child-centred enough. It also criticised the lack of mandatory training for staff and said it is preparing a complaint to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ahead of Ireland’s review in 2027.
The Department of Education said restraint can be distressing but is used only when safety is at risk, such as if a pupil is running on to a road or banging their head against a hard surface. It said it is monitoring reports alongside the NCSE and that the Inspectorate now has a role in reviewing restraint practices during whole-school inspections. Parents can use school complaints procedures, while child protection concerns remain matters for Tusla and An Garda Síochána.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
