Inclusion Alberta

We’re encouraged to see continued progress in reducing the use of seclusion rooms in Edmonton Public Schools.

This reflects strong leadership by trustees in demanding public reporting and meaningful investment by administration in training staff in safer, evidence-based alternatives.

That said, seclusion - the involuntary isolation of a student in a space they cannot leave - and physical restraints are not teaching strategies and they can cause harm, especially for students with intellectual disabilities.

While seclusion room use is declining, the use of physical restraint has increased and remains a serious concern. That tells us progress is uneven, and harmful practices are still too common. Inclusion Alberta calls for a full provincial ban on seclusion and for physical restraint to be permitted only in crisis situations to prevent imminent risk of serious physical harm.

The progress being made is significant. But the goal must remain clear: No child should be subjected to seclusion or restraint in school.

To read reporting on the issue from both the Edmonton Journal and CBC please check out our curated news page here: https://inclusionalberta.org/curated-news-content/