1: My child is struggling in school, what can I do?
If you feel your child is struggling at school, you should first speak to the class teacher and/or the SENCo to find out the view of the school. SENAC have…
2: How to request a Statutory Assessment of my child’s needs in school?
What is a Statutory Assessment? A statutory Assessment is a full assessment of your child’s educational needs which is carried out by the Education Authority (EA) at Stage 4 (new…
3: What is a Statement?
A Statement of Special Educational Needs (Statement) is a legal document which sets out a child’s educational needs and outlines how the Education Authority (EA) will meet those needs in…
4: How long should it take to complete a Statutory Assessment?
If the Education Authority agree that your child needs a statutory assessment the process should be carried out within 26 weeks. View TIMELINE for Statutory Assessment
5: Personal Learning Plan/Individual Education Plan
The new SEN Code of Practice is not yet operative however, a number of provisions within the SEND Act (NI) 2016 are being phased into the system. Children are now…
6: What will happen at the Annual Review and Transition Planning?
What is an Annual Review? All Statements of Special Educational Needs (Statement) are reviewed within a period of twelve months to ensure that the child or young person’s needs are…
7: My child is on a reduced timetable, what can I do?
All children of compulsory school age are entitled to a full-time education in line with legislation. It is unlawful for a school to discriminate against a pupil for a reason…
8: How do I provide parental information for Statutory Assessment?
Parental representations When you receive a ‘Notice of Consideration’ letter from the Education Authority (EA) saying that they are considering carrying out a Statutory Assessment you will be asked for…
9: How can I get transport arranged?
Where children have special transport needs, officers of the Education Authority (EA) will assess the child’s needs by taking medical and other advice as required and make appropriate arrangements. Transport…
10: Can I make a complaint to the Education Authority?
Making a complaint to the Education Authority There are a number of ways you can make a comment or complaint to the Education Authority (EA) telephone the Complaints office on…
11: Can I appeal a decision made by the Education Authority?
In particular situations, some matters are appealable. For example, if you do not agree with a decision made about the special education provision your child has been offered by the Education…
12: Can I ask the EA for a reassessment of my child’s educational needs?
You can ask for a statutory re-assessment if: you believe that your child’s needs have changed since the last Statement was issued, or if you believe that a different kind…
Information Pack – Introduction to Special Educational Needs System NI
If you want a copy of this Information Pack through the post please request one here.
Ring our confidential advice line for further support
028 9079 5779
Useful reading
- EA’s SEND website dedicated website outlining services & resources provided by the Education Authority
- EA’s 2023 SEND Annual Plan of Arrangements
- IPSOS Independent Review of SEN in NI march 2023
- Resource File for schools to support children with special educational needs. Dept of Education NI
- Good Practice Guidelines for schools to meet the special educational needs of pupils at the school based stages of the Code of Practice
- Annual Review Notes of Guidance September 2023 Education Authority
- Code of Practice on the Identification & Assessment of Special Educational Needs
- Supplement to the Code of Practice Dept of Education NI
- Delivering Equality in Education – Case studies highlighting the extent of inequalities in education for specific groups. See ‘Case Studies’ for SENAC’s contribution. Equality Commission NI
- The State of SEN Statements: the case for specification and quantification CDSA
- CDSA Education Manifesto 2009 –CDSA 2009
- Parental Experience of Appeals process NI Nov 2021– Analysis of SENAC’s Tribunal service & parents experience of appealing to the SENDIST
- Executive Summary – Reflective Analysis & Appendix – Summary analysis of SENAC’s Appeal Service & parental experience of SENDIST
Consultation Response:
NI Programme for Government Consultation Response from the Special Educational Needs Advice Centre (SENAC)
‘Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most’ – Draft Programme for Government 2024-2027
PFG Consultation Response SENAC Oct 2024
Review of SEN Legislation in Northern Ireland
- 2020/21 Consultation on draft Special Educational Needs Regulations and Code of Practice
The SEN Regulations and the SEN Code of Practice are key to the effective delivery of the SEN system.This is your opportunity to voice your opinion and influence the future of SEN provision Consultation closed Tuesday 5th March 2021
- New SEN Regulations
- New SEN Code of Practice
Every school a Good School
- Every School a Good School 2009 – SENAC’s response
- Additional submission from SENAC
- Special Educational Needs and Disability(SEND) Bill SENAC’s response April 2015
- Summary comments on SEND Bill
