State agency to set up €2m programme to train teachers how to handle 'crisis situations'

The National Council for Special Education said that teachers should be trained in the 'underlying communication in a student’s behaviour', as some students resort to concerning behaviours as a way to express their needs. File picture

A new training programme costing up to €2m is set to be rolled out for teachers to help them respond to “crisis situations” in special and mainstream classes.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) said this programme will be a “train the trainer” project to allow qualified teachers to be able to teach peers how to respond to concerning behaviours in the classroom.

“[We] anticipate the training shall result in approximately 1,400 trained trainers over the course of the contract duration who, following the training, will be qualified and equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively deliver the contents of the training programme,” the NCSE said.

The agency said it was embarking on this programme partly in response to the Department of Education circular on the topic which was issued last December. That circular was aimed at addressing uncertainty for staff on how they should respond when facing a crisis situation where there are concerns regarding physical safety.

The guidelines accompanying that circular were described by charity AsIAm as not adequately safeguarding autistic children despite some aspects being welcome.

Then-minister for education Norma Foley said that the guidelines would be an “essential reference point” and had been trialled in a number of special schools. She said she was pleased that the NCSE would provide training for schools and said special schools would be “prioritised for this support”.

In its request for tender for a four-year contract worth up to €2m, the NCSE said it required the design and delivery of a comprehensive training programme to deliver to schools and special classes.

“The training, in the first instance, should address a preventative focus and of necessity should encompass an understanding of behaviours, preventative measures, interventions for managing behaviours, and de-escalation of challenging incidents,” it said.

It said that teachers should be trained in the “underlying communication in a student’s behaviour”, as some students resort to concerning behaviours as a way to express their needs. The training should also encourage collaboration between schools, families and students to create safe and calm environments.

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Training should also be conveyed on safe and appropriate physical restraint in schools.

The NCSE said: “It is important that all staff are clear on what constitutes potential risk in relation to crisis situations. Furthermore, staff should be informed on potential risks to the wellbeing of all involved and the human rights implications of the use of physical restraint.” 

Guidelines around challenging behaviours in schools have provoked concerns of parents, as well as charities, in the past. AsIAm previously said that many schools’ behavioural policies disproportionately impacted students with autism.