News Release Page Title

19 July 2006

REVIEW OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND INCLUSION

Special educational needs in Northern Ireland is undergoing a comprehensive review to reduce bureaucracy and improve consistency of provision and access to support.

Education Minister, Maria Eagle said: "It is essential that we have the correct framework to meet the needs of children with special needs. This review will ensure that we deliver the most appropriate services to these children in the best way and at best time, so they gain the maximum benefit.

"We need a more timely and less bureaucratic means of identification and assessment to ensure we have appropriate provision, raising educational attainment for our children and young people with special needs whilst at the same time, providing equality of access and provision across Northern Ireland."

The review will bring forward recommendations for special educational needs and inclusion having considered the following criteria: continuity and quality of provision; equality of access; consistency of assessment and provision; delivery and funding and accountability mechanisms; value for money; affordability; and monitoring arrangements.

The Minister concluded: "We have already begun talking to our key partners in the education and health sectors, statutory and voluntary groups, parents and children and young to see how we can improve future provision and we will continue to seek these views in the next few months."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Review began in April 2006 and formal consultation on the proposed policy, legislation and new SEN Code of Practice is expected to take place in mid to late 2007.

2. The outline of the review and the areas to the addressed are available at http://www.deni.gov.uk/

The review will focus on a number of themes:

  • the arrangements for the identification and assessment of SEN;
  • the nature, quality, extent of provision and support relating to assessed needs for children with SEN;
  • SEN information and advice, disputes and appeals arrangements;
  • early intervention / pre school SEN assessment and provision;
  • capacity building for teachers, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs), adult assistance; the role of special schools in providing support and advice to mainstream schools; and the role and expertise within Curriculum Advisory and Support Service (CASS);
  • Inclusion of children and young people with SEN and/or disability in a mainstream setting including the impact of SENDO.

3. An email address has been set up to provide a facility for interested parties to notify the SEN Review Team of views and ideas to help inform SEN and inclusion policy development. It is senandinclusionreview@deni.gov.uk

4. A Steering Group has been established to oversee and direct the work of the team set up to take forward the review.

5. The Review will interface with the Review of Public Administration (RPA) in terms of the development of structures for the single education and skills authority.

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