Northern Ireland’s Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda

Introduction

Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a comprehensive reform program for children with special educational needs, addressing long-standing challenges in support provision.

Key Reform Components

  1. Systemic Changes
  • Greater inclusion
  • Early intervention strategies
  • Improved in-school and specialist support
  • Workforce development
  1. Innovative Support Model
  • Moving away from one-to-one support
  • Providing schools more flexibility in support deployment
  • Establishing a regional program for two to three-year-olds

Current Context

  • 20% of pupils have special educational needs
  • 8% have formal statements of special educational needs
  • Expenditure on SEN has increased 145% in eight years

Conclusion

The reform agenda represents a significant commitment to providing more effective, flexible support for children with special educational needs.

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