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PHYSICAL INTERVENTIONS
It is the policy of the Governing Board of Education that its programs be
operated in an environment that is free from unreasonable use of physical
interventions. Physical interventions may be used only after less intensive
alternatives have failed or have been deemed inappropriate. Physical
interventions may be administered only when necessary to protect a student,
or other students, staff and/or visitors from imminent serious physical
harm.
It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent and administration to
implement written procedures governing the utilization of physical
interventions. Further, the Superintendent and administration shall develop
procedures to ensure the appropriate monitoring of physical interventions
and to conduct annually a review of the effectiveness of such procedures.
[Adoption date: August 16, 2007]
Clermont County Educational Service Center Governing Board
Clermont County Educational Service Center
Guidelines for Use of Physical Interventions
Rationale and Philosophy
Creating a safe learning environment for all children is our goal. To insure
that we meet that goal, we continually examine the effectiveness of our
programs. We examine current practices and assess the physical conditions of
the learning environment, incorporating positive behavioral supports and as
many proactive approaches as possible to prevent negative behaviors.
Educators, parents and other members of the school communities should work
together to promote positive behavior, teach and reinforce appropriate
social skills and encourage the development of respect and responsibility in
students. Early intervention is the first strategy to be used to prevent
acting-out behavior and promote academic and behavioral student success.
The purpose of this document is to ensure that every student participating
in a program operated by the Clermont County Educational Service Center is
free from the unreasonable use of physical interventions and that such
interventions are used only in emergency situations after other less
intensive alternatives have failed or have been deemed inappropriate.
Physical interventions should be administered only when needed to protect
the student, or other students, staff and/or visitors from imminent, serious
physical harm. Physical interventions should be administered in the least
intrusive manner possible and should be used to prevent or minimize harm to
the student.
At a classroom level, behavioral supports are in place to insure that each
classroom operates smoothly. Staff is very aware that the physical design of
the classroom is vital to supporting learners with autism spectrum
disorders, multiple disabilities and students with emotional and behavioral
issues. Visual schedules, cues and choice boards are examples of ways we
support all learners throughout the classroom.
Our efforts focus on the development, application and maintenance of
positive behaviors. We work diligently to address the individual needs of
all children by utilizing best practice methodologies and strategies which
include: direct teaching of positive behaviors/replacement behaviors;
individual and group reward systems; functional behavioral assessments;
behavior intervention plans; and crisis intervention plans. When a student
is struggling, we try to understand the function of students’ behavior and
work as a team to resolve.
Guidelines for Use of Physical Interventions
IF a behavior creates a dangerous situation for the student himself, another
student (s), or staff, a child may be held until he/she is able to regain
control and is safe. All staff members who work directly with students are
trained in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention ® and utilize physical controls
taught as part of this program in a situation when other methods have
failed. These controls are recognized as safe, non-harmful techniques that,
when applied correctly and professionally, assist in prompt resolution of
crisis situations.
Parents will be notified if a situation requires a hold or restraint.
Parents need to know that these methods are used only in situations where
safety is an issue. Physical intervention will only be used when absolutely
necessary to defuse a dangerous situation, protect the student and others
from injury, and regain a safe, controlled, productive learning environment.
It is unacceptable to use physical intervention as a punishment, or to
threaten the use of physical control as a means of managing disruptive
behavior.
The following guidelines will be followed:
Someone trained in CPR and First Aid is available during physical
interventions.
Behaviors that warrant physical intervention will be identified.
Use of physical intervention may be included in the student’s
Individualized Education Program (IEP) or behavior intervention plan (BIP).
Physical intervention will be used for no more than 5 minutes with an
opportunity to for student to return to schedule.
Each physical intervention will be documented, a health aide/nurse will
check the student, and parents will be notified.
Data will be utilized to evaluate appropriateness/effectiveness of
physical intervention.
Proper Administration of Physical Intervention
1. Trained personnel:
Only staff that has received proper training in physical intervention
procedures shall intervene with students. To the greatest degree possible,
another adult who does not participate in the physical intervention should
witness its administration. However, nothing in this policy shall preclude a
teacher, employee or agent of the school system from using reasonable force
to protect students, other persons, or themselves from assault or imminent,
serious physical harm.
2. Use of force:
Any individual(s) administering physical intervention shall use only the
amount of force necessary to protect the student or others from physical
injury or harm.
3. Safety requirements:
(a) Physical interventions will be administered in a manner so as to prevent
or minimize physical harm to the student, other students, staff and/or
visitors.
(b) Physical interventions will not be administered in a manner that
prevents the student from speaking or breathing.
(c) During a physical intervention, a staff member shall continuously
monitor the physical status of the student including skin color and
respiration.
(d) If at any time during the physical intervention the student displays
significant physical distress, the intervention will immediately terminate
and medical assistance will be sought.
(e) Prior to working with a student, staff will review and take into
consideration any known medical or psychological limitations and/or
behavioral intervention plans regarding physical intervention on an
individual student.
(f) During a physical intervention, staff will try to de-escalate behavior
and to end the intervention as soon as possible.
(g) Staff administering physical intervention will use the safest method
available that is appropriate to the situation.
(h) Floor or prone interventions are prohibited unless the staff
administering such physical interventions has been trained and in the
judgment of that staff, such intervention is necessary in order to provide
for the safety of the student as well as others present. In such a
situation, the primary staff member administering the physical intervention
will communicate with the student for safety purposes in an attempt to
de-escalate and end the intervention as soon as possible.
(i) Physical interventions will immediately terminate when the staff member
determines that the student is no longer at risk of causing imminent
physical harm to himself or others.
(j) After release of a student from a physical intervention , the incident,
when applicable, will be reviewed with the student and the behavior that led
up to the intervention will be addressed. The student should be provided
therapeutic rapport and given time to establish communication and identify
alternative behaviors for the future. Responsibility is returned to the
student.
(k) The administrator in charge will review the incident with the staff
member who
administered the physical intervention to ensure that proper procedures were
followed and to consider if any follow-up is appropriate for students who
may have been present during the intervention.
(l) All physical interventions will be documented on appropriate forms. A
copy will be maintained in the student’s file and a copy sent to the parent.
Nothing in this document prohibits:
(a) The right of an individual to report to appropriate authorities a crime
committed by a student or another individual.
(b) The right of law enforcement, judicial authorities or school personnel
to exercise their
responsibilities, including the physical detainment of a student or other
persons
alleged to have committed a crime or posing a security risk.
(c) The responsibility of an employee as a mandated by ORC to report child
abuse and/or neglect to the appropriate state agency.
(d) The protection afforded publicly funded students under other state or
federal laws, including those laws that provide for the rights of students
who have been found eligible to receive special education services.
(e) The right of any teacher, employee or agent of a public education
program from using reasonable force to protect students, other persons or
themselves from assault or imminent, serious physical harm.
This document was developed with guidance from CPI, the International
Association of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Questions or comments
regarding information contained in this document should be directed to the
Director of Special Education at the Clermont County Educational Service
Center at 513-735-8300.
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