This follows Alliance Party support for the Harry’s Law campaign, which seeks the introduction of legislation to end the misuse of restraint and seclusion in schools across NI.

The North Down MLA said: “This consultation launched by the Department of Education is an important step forward in terms of ending the misuse of restraint and seclusion in our education system, and providing schools with much-needed guidance in this area.

“Alliance is committed to the introduction of ‘Harry’s Law’ to end the misuse of seclusion in schools and to ensure there is appropriate recording and monitoring of the use of restraint, in line with its place as an intervention of last resort. We believe it’s essential these practices are also supported by training for staff in trauma-informed ways in order to safely and appropriately prevent, predict and de-escalate pupil distress behaviours.

“This is yet another example of why it is so vital that we see the restoration of the Executive and Assembly without delay, to ensure that some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our society are not left behind in pursuit of damaging ransom politics.”