Ontario Policy/Program Memorandum 141 (2019) requires school boards to have policies on the use of physical restraint and seclusion. Restraint and seclusion must only be used as a last resort to prevent serious bodily harm, never as punishment or convenience. Schools must notify parents on the same day, document every incident, and debrief to prevent recurrence. Prone restraint is prohibited. Parents should request their child's behaviour safety plan proactively.
Start with the short answer, then reveal deeper context where helpful.
PPM 141 (Professional Activity: Safe and Accepting Schools) was released in 2019 to address restraint and seclusion in Ontario schools. It requires every school board to develop clear policies that: limit restraint to situations involving imminent risk of serious bodily harm, prohibit prone (face-down) restraint, require same-day parent notification, mandate written documentation of every incident, and require debriefing to identify how to prevent future incidents.
Proactively request that your child's IEP include a behaviour safety plan that outlines de-escalation strategies, sensory supports, and alternatives to physical intervention. The plan should identify triggers, early warning signs, and staff-specific response protocols. A BCBA can help develop this plan.
PPM 141 (Professional Activity: Safe and Accepting Schools) was released in 2019 to address restraint and seclusion in Ontario schools. It requires every school board to develop clear policies that: limit restraint to situations involving imminent risk of serious bodily harm, prohibit prone (face-down) restraint, require same-day parent notification, mandate written documentation of every incident, and require debriefing to identify how to prevent future incidents.
Seclusion — confining a student alone in a room from which they cannot leave — is subject to the same restrictions. It must only be used as an emergency safety measure, not as a behavioural consequence. The seclusion space must be safe, supervised, and the student must be released as soon as the safety risk has passed.
Proactively request that your child's IEP include a behaviour safety plan that outlines de-escalation strategies, sensory supports, and alternatives to physical intervention. The plan should identify triggers, early warning signs, and staff-specific response protocols. A BCBA can help develop this plan.
If restraint or seclusion is used on your child: request the written incident report, ask for a debriefing meeting, review whether the behaviour safety plan was followed, and request changes to prevent future incidents. If you believe restraint was used inappropriately or excessively, contact the school board superintendent, the Ontario Ombudsman, or consult with a lawyer experienced in education law.
Ontario Ministry
Ontario Ministry of Education — Policy/Program Memorandum 141: School Board Programs for Students with Behavioural Needs (2019)
OHRC
Ontario Human Rights Commission — Policy on Accessible Education for Students with Disabilities (2018)
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