€2 Million investment to Support Children and Strengthen School Responses to Behaviours of Concern
- Published on: 8 April 2026
- Last updated on: 8 April 2026
The Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, has today announced a €2 million investment to expand training and supports for schools responding to behaviours of concern, with a clear focus on improving outcomes and experiences for children. These supports will enhance schools’ capacity to support children in distress, prioritising early intervention, de-escalation and wellbeing, while ensuring staff are equipped to respond safely and appropriately.
A new parental complaints portal will also be introduced, giving parents an independent pathway to raise concerns where they remain dissatisfied with how a school has handled an incident involving restraint.
Speaking at the TUI conference, the Minister Naughton said:
“Every child deserves to feel safe, respected and supported at school. This investment is about ensuring that when a child is struggling, they are met with understanding, care and the right supports, rather than escalation. It is also about giving our teachers and school staff the confidence and training that they need to respond in a proportionate and effective way.
“We know that how a school responds in moments of difficulty matters enormously. It can help a child feel secure, build trust and enjoy their school day without disruption. With these measures we are continuing to place the child’s wellbeing and long term development at the very centre.”
Continuing, the Minister said:
“There is a comprehensive training programme in behaviour available from the NCSE provided as part of its professional learning programme. Schools can avail of training in:
Separately, a summer course for primary teachers developed by NEPS, the Inspectorate and the NCSE behaviour service was provided in 2025 and will be available again this summer. I really encourage all schools to avail of these training supports.”
Supporting Schools to Respond Effectively
The investment builds on ongoing work by the Department, the NCSE, NEPS and the Inspectorate to promote best practice in behaviour support.
Schools will have access to:
- Expanded professional learning through the NCSE
- A dedicated summer course for primary teachers
- Updated guidance on behaviour, regulation and crisis response
- Continued Inspectorate focus on de-escalation and student wellbeing
- The NCSE is currently undertaking a procurement process for the provision of training to mainstream schools on responding to crisis situations. This training will be available to schools upon completion of that process.
Minister Naughton said:
“School staff are on the frontline of supporting children every day. They need the right tools, training and guidance. This investment ensures they have that support.”
New Parental Complaints Portal
The new Parental Complaints Portal will apply in cases where parents have completed a school’s complaints process but remain dissatisfied. Complaints will be reviewed by an independent panel including former inspectors, psychologists, a child safeguarding expert and stakeholder representatives.
The portal for parents’ complaints relating to restraint will be available from September 2026. Parents who have concerns regarding the manner in which a school managed a restraint, and who have completed the schools’ complaint process will be enabled to submit documentation to the Department via a dedicated email address. This information will be reviewed by an expert group.
Announcing the establishment of the portal, Minister Naughton said:
“This is about trust and transparency. While these cases are rare, parents must have confidence that their concerns will be heard and assessed independently. Crucially, the expert group reviewing cases will include a child protection specialist. In those small number of cases where issues remain unresolved, this provides a clear and fair escalation pathway.”
The portal will operate as an interim measure pending the introduction of statutory complaints procedures.