3246 – Restraint, Isolation, and Other Uses of Reasonable Force
The NWESD 189 will maintain safe learning environments while treating all students with dignity and respect. All students served by the NWESD 189 will remain free from unreasonable restraint, restraint devices, isolation, and other uses of physical force. Under no circumstances will these techniques be used as a form of discipline or punishment.
NWESD 189 staff may use reasonable force, isolation or restraint to maintain order or to prevent a student from harming him/herself, other students and staff, or property.
Restraint and other uses of physical force, as defined in the procedure accompanying this policy, are reasonable when necessary to prevent or minimize imminent bodily injury to self or others. Restraint and other uses of physical force may be used to protect the student, other students, staff, or NWESD 189 property when de-escalation interventions have failed or are inappropriate.
The use of restraint, isolation, and other forms of reasonable force may be used on any student when reasonably necessary to control spontaneous behavior that poses an imminent likelihood of serious harm as defined by RCW 70.96B.010 and Chapter 392-172A WAC and explained in the procedure accompanying this policy. Serious harm includes physical harm to self, another, or NWESD 189 property. Staff will closely monitor such actions to prevent harm to the student and will use the minimum amount of restraint and isolation appropriate to protect the safety of students and staff. The restraint, isolation, and other forms of reasonable force will be discontinued when the likelihood of serious harm has dissipated.
This policy is intended to address students served by the NWESD 189. It is not intended to prevent or limit the use of reasonable force or restraint as necessary with other adults or youth from outside NWESD 189 programs as allowed by law.
All parents/guardians of students attending programs operated by NWESD 189 will be provided access to this policy. A copy of this policy will be provided to parents/guardians when the Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan is created.
The Superintendent or a designee will develop procedures to implement this policy, including review, reporting, and parent/guardian notification of incidents involving restraint or isolation as required by law.
All parents/guardians of students attending programs operated by NWESD 189 will be provided access to this policy. A copy of this policy will be provided to parents/guardians when the Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan is created.
The Superintendent or a designee will develop procedures to implement this policy, including review, reporting, and parent/guardian notification of incidents involving restraint or isolation as required by law.
First Reading: 08/28/13
Second Reading: 09/18/13
Revised: 12/15/14
Revised: 08/26/15
Revised: 04/27/16
Revised: 01/10/22
Revised: 09/23/24
Reference:
RCW 9A.16.020
RCW 9A.16.100
RCW 28A.150.300
RCW 28A.155.210
RCW 28A.600.485
RCW 28A.600.486
WAC 392-172A
Cross Reference:
Policy 2161
Policy 2162
Date Revised: 09/23/24