Compulsory online module#

Most schools, and teachers, do not use physical restraint on students. For the schools that use physical restraint, this should be used only as a very last resort needed to prevent students from imminent harm. The compulsory online module helps clarify the difference between appropriate physical contact and restraint. 

The compulsory online module is available for anyone to access. It covers legislative questions and the difference between appropriate physical contact and restraint.

All registered kaiako | teachers must complete the online module. Supporting staff members who are part of a team supporting a student with restraint as part of their support plan must also complete the online module.

Physical Restraint: Understanding the Rules and Guidelines – Education LMS

Physical holds and releases training#

Most staff do not need to do physical holds and releases training.

Teachers and any authorised supporting staff members working with a student who has restraint in their support plan must do both the online module and physical holds and releases training. This training accessed through your Te Mahau office. Restraint is only used as a short-term measure while other supports are put in place.

Contact your regional office for more information.

Regional offices

Aramai He Tētēkura Minimising Physical Restraint learning resource#

This new resource was launched in December 2024 and will help you understand distress and minimise physical restraint, recognise and respond to ākonga distress in mana-enhancing ways.

The consultation feedback shaped the content of this resource.

The overview document describes how to use the 4 modules with students. It explains why it is important to notice student distress at the earliest stage and respond to this distress in mana-enhancing ways, rather than resort to using physical restraint which is a last resort.

The 4 modules cover:

• Module 1: Ngahere - Build a culture of care.
• Module 2: Mātaitia - Recognise.
• Module 3: Atawhaitia - Respond.
• Module 4: Whakawhenuatia - Restore.

Download your completion certificate#

Once you have completed the mandatory online module 'Physical Restraint – Understanding the Rules and Guidelines', you will need download a copy of your completion certificate.

Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the system to generate your certificate. You may need to log out and then log back in again for your certificate to be available.

To download the completion certificate, follow the steps below.

If you logged into Ako using an email address you no longer have access to, contact us to change the address and password.

Email: [email protected]