If the school staff meet to review a restraint or isolation incident, should I (the parent) be invited to that meeting?
If the school staff meet to review a restraint or isolation incident, should I (the parent) be invited to that meeting?Not necessarily. Part of the required follow up procedures after a restraint or isolation incident is for the school to review the incident with the staff involved.
As the parent, you should have the chance to talk with the school staff about what happened, and what could be done differently to avoid the need for any further restraints or isolation. At the same time, it is important that schools check in with their staff involved in the incident. This debriefing with staff is an important and recommended part of plans to reduce the use of restraint and isolation.
If the school staff identify a need for more training or supports to avoid further restraint or isolation incidents, that should be included in the written notice to the parents.
If your child has an IEP, or a 504 Plan, you can ask the IEP team or 504 team to meet to review the restraint or isolation incident. An IEP team might need to review and update a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), or develop a new one. A 504 team can similarly meet to review the incident and consider adding behavioral supports and accommodations to your child’s 504 Plan.
You can read more about strategies to address behavior, including functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans on OEO’s Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans page.