Behaviours of concern are no longer isolated incidents in Irish schools. For many educators, exposure to verbal and physical aggression, supporting children in acute distress, and responding to crisis situations has become a recurring — and often under-acknowledged — part of the job.

Responding to Behaviours of Concern and Crises in Irish Schools – Learning from Training Needs draws on evidence from over 2,600 staff across 124 schools to examine what is happening on the ground, how frequently these situations arise, and the impact they are having on students, staff, and school communities. The findings point to a system under sustained pressure, where schools are being asked to navigate complex risks, uneven supports, and difficult trade-offs in real time.

The review surfaces patterns that are appearing across school settings, and identifies practical opportunities to strengthen confidence, safety, and consistency in how schools respond. These include approaches to training, leadership, legal clarity, and coordination across services that are already making a difference in some contexts.

The full report is available to download below. It offers a grounded, evidence-led contribution to an issue that is shaping daily life in Irish schools, and invites informed discussion about how these challenges can be addressed more effectively and sustainably.

“For many schools, responding to behaviours of concern has become a routine — and increasingly complex — part of daily practice.”