Is isolation or restraint legal in BC schools?

Technically, yes—but the law doesn’t clearly regulate it. In British Columbia, physical restraint and seclusion (also called isolation) are not explicitly prohibited by legislation. Instead, school districts are expected to follow the 2015 Provincial Guidelines on Physical Restraint and Seclusion, which limit these interventions to emergency situations where safety is at immediate risk.

Restraint refers to physically restricting a student’s movement to prevent harm. Seclusion involves confining a student alone in a space they cannot leave—often a separate room or closed area. The provincial guidelines require districts to define these practices narrowly, report incidents, and prioritize prevention strategies like positive behavioural supports. But because the guidelines are not law, they are inconsistently applied and lack enforcement.

As of 2022, nearly all school districts had adopted some form of policy—but compliance with the guidelines varies widely. Many families report learning about restraint or seclusion only after the fact, through their child’s distress or through complaints—not through formal notification. There is no province-wide requirement for schools to track or publicly report how often these practices are used.

Students with disabilities are disproportionately affected. Research from Inclusion BC and the Family Support Institute shows that neurodivergent children are more likely to be restrained or secluded, often without adequate alternatives being offered first.

Until BC introduces binding legislation, restraint and seclusion remain legal—but unregulated. Parents are encouraged to:

• Ask for their district’s specific policy
• Request documentation of any incident
• File a complaint if restraint or isolation is used without clear justification or follow-up