In answer to a question to the Minister of Education, Mr O’Dowd said the following:
The Office of the Legislative Counsel is currently considering draft instructions for the SEN Bill. Work has commenced on the development of supporting regulations and statutory code of practice to support the new framework. On current timescales, it is anticipated that a draft Bill will be introduced to the Assembly in September 2013. The operative date of the new SEN Bill is planned for September 2014. Implementation of the new framework will commence during the 2014/15 school year with arrangements in place for a 5 year transitional period.
