Dr. Tricia Keilthy:

It is a concern for us in ensuring we have a child rights focus in how schools are given guidelines on managing behaviours of concern. We are engaging with the Department of education on guidelines. We want to see greater independent oversight to ensure that schools comply with the guidelines in order that we can ensure children are safe and supported in the school environment. There also need to be adequate supports through early intervention so that schools only have to use them as a last resort. It is really important that they are supported in that way.