AQW 42589/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 16/03/2026
Answered On Date: 20/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) any steps his Department took to communicate with parents, families and campaigners on the launch of his Department's consultation on restraint and seclusion in education; and (ii) any plans he has to promote and encourage parental engagement throughout the consultation's lifespan.

Answer:

(i) My Department undertook extensive steps to ensure that the launch of the consultation on restraint and seclusion in education was widely publicised and accessible to all interested parties, including parents, families and campaigners.

A departmental press release was issued and the consultation was prominently highlighted on the Department’s website and social media channels. Information was disseminated to schools, education bodies and stakeholder organisations. Schools were requested to share the consultation with parents and carers through their usual communication systems. These measures were designed to ensure that all parents and members of the public had equal opportunity to be made aware of the consultation.

In addition to these wide‑reaching arrangements, the Department also contacted a small number of parent campaigners directly by email. The department made contact with these parents as an exceptional step, reflecting their sustained engagement on the issue, in order to ensure that they were aware that the consultation had formally opened. This approach does not represent normal departmental protocol or practice in relation to the communications associated with the launch of a public consultation, which is to communicate with parents and the wider public through open and universally accessible channels.

(ii) In relation to plans to promote and encourage parental engagement throughout the consultation’s lifespan, the Department is committed to ensuring that parents and carers feel able to contribute meaningfully to this process and officials remain open to engaging with all interested parties, including parents, families and campaigners who wish to discuss their experiences or provide feedback at any stage during the consultation. Furthermore, the Department plans to hold a public consultation event which will be open to all.