GUIDELINES ON how and when physical intervention can be used to deal with unruly pupils have been issued to all of Dundee City Council’s schools, writes Brian Allison, local government reporter.

Independent councillor Ian Borthwick had asked for details of measures taken by the council to deal with classroom discipline with particular reference to the recommendations of an inquiry, of which he was a member, into allegations of violence and indiscipline at Sidlaw View primary school in 2007.

Mr Borthwick said he felt it was appropriate to get an update on the progress towards implementing the recommendations.

“Some of the recommendations we made in the inquiry report had implications for all schools,” he said.

After raising the matter with chief executive Alex Stephen, Mr Borthwick has now received extensive information from education director Anne Wilson.

The director said training on physical intervention had been offered in Dundee for several years.

“An extensive programme of in-service training has been provided and staff feedback from courses has been very positive,” she said.

Updated guidelines on the use of physical intervention were issued to all the council’s schools in May last year.

Mrs Wilson said they had been the subject of detailed consultation with head teachers and others, including trade union representatives.

The guidance sets out the definition of physical intervention; the circumstances in which it can be used; how it should be applied; and the legal framework, both civil and criminal.

It stressed physical intervention should only be used when there is immediate danger of injury to pupils or others, or of serious damage to property.

All incidents of restraint must be recorded and, if arising out of a violent incident, a report form must be completed.

Mr Borthwick had also asked about stress-related absence among teachers as a result of dealing with pupils with behavioural difficulties.

Mrs Wilson said the department’s human resources section was actively involved in helping head teachers manage absence and, in particular, to identify stress-related absences at an early stage.

“In addition…we have begun the process of stress audits in schools and action is taken where issues are identified,” she said.

Mr Borthwick said he was glad to see the council was moving forward on discipline-related issues, including those highlighted in the Sidlaw View report.

“By far the majority of children are a credit to their schools but it is important we are seen to be addressing the problem of classroom indiscipline so the public can have confidence it is being dealt with.”

THE ASSAULT conviction of a Dundee teacher has raised questions about discipline in schools. Was the sheriff right to ask if the Scottish Parliament has made teaching impossible? Or have teachers passed responsibility for discipline to support staff. A Perthshire teacher was struck off for incompetence. But was she working under impossible conditions? If you wish to contribute to this debate, Email courier@dcthomson.co.uk or call Dundee 01382 575290.