Safety of Students in Residential Placement

A free appropriate public education is a right every student has in the United States. Children with disabilities are no less entitled to a public education that meets their individual needs than an able-boded student. This includes students with severe needs which require residential placement outside of the home.

These residential placements expose the students to various challenges over and above any challenges they would experience as a result of their individual disabilities. Among these new challenges are adjustment issues, social challenges, educational concerns, and behavioral stressors.

Transitioning to a new environment can be challenging for any child, and it may be especially difficult for those with special needs. Similarly, developing and maintaining social skills can be more complex for children with special needs. They may face difficulties in forming friendships and engaging in social interactions, which can impact their emotional well-being. Ensuring that children with special needs receive appropriate educational support within a residential setting can be a significant challenge. Specialized educational programs and individualized learning plans may be necessary to address their unique needs. Some students with special needs may exhibit challenging behaviors, which can be exacerbated by changes in their living situation, and being away from their family home can cause additional stress.

When the residential placement is in another state, the challenges present even greater barriers. Unfortunately, residential placements outside the student’s home state also leads family and home school districts to be further removed from the day-to-day treatment of the student. Reduced oversight has regretfully led, in some cases, to negligent neglect of the student. At Seattle Litigation Group we have experience in holding school districts and private placement residential schools accountable for the treatment of the children in their care.