The Ministry of Education, supported by the Physical Restraint Advisory Group, is consulting on updating the rules and guidelines on the use of physical restraint in schools following changes in the Education and Training Act 2020.

The purpose of the consultation is to make sure that the new rules and guidelines are workable and sustainable, uphold the rights of children, whānau and school staff, provide clarity and support as to when and how physical restraint can be used, and prevent the use of physical restraint except as a last resort to prevent imminent harm.

Read the draft rules and guidelines and provide feedback here. Submissions are open until Thursday 31 March.

Summaries of the proposed changes are available in English, te reo Māori, and nine Pacific languages, with five accessibility formats to be added shortly.

The Ministry are also working with Litmus to conduct focus groups and qualitative interviews with children, young people and their whānau to help them ensure that the new rules and guidelines, and associated training, supports practices that will meet their needs. This engagement will begin in March.