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
- Systemic Changes
- Greater inclusion
- Early intervention strategies
- Improved in-school and specialist support
- Workforce development
- 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.