Full Document:
What you need to know
Circular 42/2026 updates schools on training, monitoring, and oversight regarding behaviours of concern and crisis situations. It introduces complementary resources like the NCSE Relate framework and upcoming TESS guidelines. The circular outlines expanded training options for the 2025/2026 school year, including webinars, face-to-face sessions, and specialised “train the trainer” courses, with substitution cover available. It also highlights new supports such as the Neart wellbeing programme and NEPS trauma-informed training. Schools are reminded that physical restraint remains a last resort, requiring careful monitoring, parental involvement, and reporting.
Key Changes Since Circular 81/2024
- New Complaints Portal: From September 2026, parents dissatisfied with a school’s handling of a physical restraint incident (after exhausting local procedures) can escalate complaints via a designated DEY portal to an independent review group.
- Updated Reporting Form: Schools must now use an updated version of “Resource 4” for reporting restraint incidents to the NCSE; no other formats will be accepted.
- Inspectorate Oversight: The Inspectorate will now survey parents specifically about physical restraint during whole-school evaluations.
- New Policy Template: The Department has published a policy template and FAQs to strongly encourage and assist Boards of Management in developing a specific policy on the use of physical restraint.
Principal’s Checklist
[ ] Complaint Management: No changes in the main. Process any parental grievances through the school’s complaints procedure, noting that unresolved issues can be escalated to the Department’s portal starting in September 2026
[ ] Internal Reporting: Receive immediate reports of any physical restraint incidents and forward them to the Board of Management.
[ ] NCSE Reporting: Report all restraint incidents to the NCSE exclusively using the newly updated Resource 4 template – see below
[ ] Post-Incident Review: Involve parents at the earliest juncture and review incidents using the NCSE Relate ‘Phases of Support’ tool to proactively prevent re-occurrence.
[ ] Child Protection: Immediately report any child protection concerns arising from a restraint report to Tusla or An Garda Síochána.
[ ] Staff Training: Facilitate staff access to relevant NCSE, NEPS, or Neart training, arranging substitution cover with Board approval where necessary.
[ ] Policy Development: Develop a specific policy on physical restraint using the newly provided Department template.
Resources
- NCSE Resource 4 – reporting incident of physical restraint to NCSE
- Understanding Behaviours of Concern and Responding to Crisis Situations Guidelines
- SchoolPolicy.ie Sample Policy
- Sample Printable Forms and Templates