(UK) Northern Ireland: 50% increase in demand for SPED places over last 5 yrs
Fewer than five children with special educational needs (SEN) are still waiting for a school place in September, the Education Authority (EA) has said.
Despite progress in creating additional places, the EA warned that “significant change” is required in the education system to meet demand in future years.
The start of recent school years has seen a struggle to accommodate SEN children in Northern Ireland amid a “last-minute scramble” for places.
The demand for SEN places has increased by more than 50% in the last five years.
Less than a third of mainstream schools in the region have specialist SEN provision classes.
The EA, which manages school services in the region, has introduced a series of initiatives to increase the number of places.
In a statement, the EA said it had made “further progress” on school places for SEN children ahead of the new school term starting in September. . . .
The EA said there had been “intensive work” with schools and families.
It added: “EA continues to stress that significant change is needed to properly meet need for SEN places at an earlier stage in the annual cycle.
“Key requirements are sustained investment in expanding special school capacity, and significant growth in specialist SEN classes in mainstream schools. . . .
Education Minister Paul Givan and EA chief executive Richard Pengelly have previously written to schools requesting their support with new SEN provision due to the increased demand. . . .
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