Education Minister Hekia Parata’s move to outlaw seclusion rooms in New Zealand schools and early childhood facilities is welcome and cannot come soon enough for concerned parents and vulnerable children. Subsequently, it transpired the practice is not isolated, although it remains unclear to what extent mainstream and special schools are using the rooms. The Human Rights Commission is currently reviewing seclusion and restraint policies and practices throughout New Zealand, particularly by government agencies. There have been several cases recently where our commitment to aspects of human rights has been called into question internationally. The use of seclusion rooms feels like a step back towards the very dark days of institutional abuse and it is good the situation has come to light.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 04, 2016 17:15 UTC