❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice investigates the use of protective isolation and restraint in schools, particularly concerning students with disabilities. The response reveals data limitations and changes in departmental policy regarding these practices.
AnsweredQoN 805Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the use of protective isolation and restraint in Western Australian Schools, and I ask: (a) on how many occasions was protective isolation used by school staff in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024; (b) on how many occasions was protective isolation used on students with disabilities by school staff in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024; (c) on how many occasions was restraint used by school staff in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024; (d) on how many occasions was restraint used on students with disabilities by school staff in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024; (e) how many students were placed into protective isolation more than once, and what was the maximum number of times that a single student was placed into protective isolation, in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024; (f) how many students with disabilities were placed into protective isolation more than once, and what was the maximum number of times that a single student with disabilities was placed into protective isolation, in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024; (g) on how many occasions was restraint used on students more than once, and what was the maximum number of times restraint was used on a single student by school staff, in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024; (h) on how many occasions was restraint used on students with disabilities more than once, and what was the maximum number of times restraint was used on a single student with disabilities by school staff, in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024; (i) how many teachers have received training on the use of protective isolation and restraint in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024; (j) have any teachers used restraint or protective isolation who have not received training; and (k) if yes to (j), how many in the following years: (i) 2019; (ii) 2020; (iii) 2021; (iv) 2022; (v) 2023; and (vi) 2024?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2025
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Education
Response time
7 days
Answer
(a) – (d) Please see Tabled Paper.
(e) – (h) This information is not available.
(i) The Department of Education’s training does not include protective isolation. The use of isolation in confined spaces for managing behaviour or disciplining a student is prohibited. Prior to 17 July 2023, the use of protective isolation was permitted only under strict requirements.
Restraint training data is collected across staff roles, inclusive of educational assistants’, teachers, principals and Aboriginal and Islander education officers.
Year
Number of staff who received training on the use of physical restraint training
2019
3,450
2020
3,125
2021
3,700
2022
3,600
2023
4,842
2024
3,988
In response to the Independent Review of the School Education Act 1999 (WA) the Department of Education is assessing training and support for public school staff who work with students with disability, to identify opportunities to strengthen practice.
(j) – (k) This information is not available.
(a) – (d) Please see Tabled Paper.
(e) – (h) This information is not available.
(i) The Department of Education’s training does not include protective isolation. The use of isolation in confined spaces for managing behaviour or disciplining a student is prohibited. Prior to 17 July 2023, the use of protective isolation was permitted only under strict requirements.
Restraint training data is collected across staff roles, inclusive of educational assistants’, teachers, principals and Aboriginal and Islander education officers.
Year
Number of staff who received training on the use of physical restraint training
2019
3,450
2020
3,125
2021
3,700
2022
3,600
2023
4,842
2024
3,988
In response to the Independent Review of the School Education Act 1999 (WA) the Department of Education is assessing training and support for public school staff who work with students with disability, to identify opportunities to strengthen practice.
(j) – (k) This information is not available.
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