(UK) NI: $37M for nine SPED projects
- The end of childhood
- Oct 27
- 2 min read
Oct 24, 2025, Armaghi: Education Minister outlines two-strand approach for £27.5m [$37M] SEN ‘Transformation’ programme
'The working detail of costings are not planned for publication; however, there will be full transparency and accountability on expenditure'
Nine Special Educational Needs (SEN) ‘Transformation’ projects – receiving funding from a £27.5 million [$37M] pot – will be divided into two “strands”, according to the Education Minister.
The projects are to be provided for by ring-fenced funding received from the Interim Public Services Transformation Board.
The Minister, Paul Givan was asked to detail the cost breakdown for the transformation projects Upper Bann Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson.
In terms of costings, the Minister explained: “The costings for each project are indicative and subject to change as the projects progress, with some subject to final proposals from delivery partners.
“The working detail of costings are not planned for publication; however, there will be full transparency and accountability on expenditure.”. . .
While the projects focus heavily on educational support – rather than direct healthcare – The Department of Health did publish a detailed report on October 8, 2025 reviewing the population health needs of children with complex medical conditions attending Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools across Northern Ireland.
The review was commissioned in late 2024 and involved engagement with SEN school principals, parents, and other key stakeholders.
It provides a detailed assessment of the healthcare challenges faced by pupils, the complexity of their needs, and the support systems required to deliver timely, child-specific care.
Addressing the report’s findings Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt acknowledged “significant regional variations” in healthcare provision for children with complex needs in SEN schools, adding: “It is clear that further work is required to ensure equitable and timely access to appropriate healthcare services for all children.”
Chief Nursing Officer Maria McIlgorm thanked the report’s authors for the work completed to date and acknowledged the further work necessary, with particular emphasis on the need for “multi-disciplinary” team engagement.
She said: “This report highlights the need for partnership working, within multi-disciplinary teams and across government, to meet the complex health needs of these children,” she said.
“We acknowledge this and will continue to work in partnership to ensure children receive comprehensive, timely, multi-disciplinary support tailored to meet their assessed individual healthcare needs.”
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