Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 19 March 2026 [Draft]
19 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I welcome both Daniel Johnson’s and Willie Rennie’s comments, as well as those of the cabinet secretary.
Willie Rennie used the word “ambiguity”; other people would use the word “flexibility”. I fully accept that there is a balance to be struck. If we are too rigid, something might be caught that is not meant to be; if we are too relaxed, it is the other way round. The example that we frequently heard in the committee was that, if a child runs across the road, you want to grab them—in any way that you can, frankly—to prevent their being run over. That is why we need a degree of flexibility.
I understand the unions’ point of view and that of the children’s commissioner. I accept that the commissioner’s job is to be on the cautious side. That is absolutely fine, but I suggest that amendment 1 gets the balance roughly right.
Amendment 1 agreed to.
Section 2—Guidance on restraint and seclusion in schools
In the same item of business
14:42
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should ha...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Group 1 is on the scope and application of restraint and seclusion provisions. Amendment 1, in the name of John Mason, is grouped with amendments 3 and 6.
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind)
Ind
Amendment 1 will provide a regulation-making power to amend the definitions of restraint and seclusion in section 1 at a future date, where ministers conside...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (Jenny Gilruth)
SNP
I thank John Mason for lodging amendment 1. The regulation-making power will be used by ministers only where they consider it necessary to ensure that the de...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
I am a strong supporter of the bill. The amendments in this group are proportionate and balanced. We have to recognise that there is anxiety and concern amon...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
This morning, I met the EIS and AHDS, as well as the other teaching trade unions, and I talked to some of their concerns in this area. It is the case that, t...
Willie Rennie
LD
They would very much welcome that.This is an issue of culture in our schools, which has been evolving over time. We are adapting to high demand with regard t...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
: As the member in charge of the bill, I will support all three amendments in the group and all the amendments that have been lodged this afternoon.I thank t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I call John Mason to wind up, and press or withdraw amendment 1.
John Mason
Ind
I welcome both Daniel Johnson’s and Willie Rennie’s comments, as well as those of the cabinet secretary.Willie Rennie used the word “ambiguity”; other people...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
We turn to group 2, which is on consultation. Amendment 2, in the name of the cabinet secretary, is the only amendment in the group.
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
Amendment 2 is a minor amendment to allow consultation on the first set of statutory guidance to begin before relevant sections in the bill are brought into ...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Amendment 2 is sensible. In essence, it allows the Government to get on with it and do the consultation ahead of the bill coming into force. It is sensible a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Does the cabinet secretary have anything to add by way of winding up?
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I have nothing further to add.Amendment 2 agreed to.Section 3—Duty to inform parents of use of restraint or seclusionAmendment 3 moved—Jenny Gilruth—agreed t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Group 3 is on regulation-making powers. Amendment 4, in the name of the cabinet secretary, is grouped with amendments 5 and 7.
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
Amendment 4 removes a provision that is now unnecessary because the same provision was made in another amendment that was agreed to at stage 2.Amendments 5 a...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
To echo the cabinet secretary’s comments, amendments 4, 5 and 7 are technical amendments that enable the Government to introduce secondary legislation to ens...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Does the cabinet secretary have anything to add by way of winding up?
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I have nothing further to add.Amendment 4 agreed to.Amendment 5 moved—Jenny Gilruth—and agreed to.Section 6—InterpretationAmendment 6 moved—Jenny Gilruth—and...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
That ends consideration of amendments.I advise members that, as they will be aware, the Presiding Officer is required under standing orders to decide whether...