AQW 49979/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 20/10/2015
Answered On Date: 04/11/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education what opportunities for continual professional development exist for the non-formal education workforce.

Answer:

The Department of Education does not employ support staff who work in the education sector. The Education Authority (EA) employs the vast majority of the education sector support staff.

The EA has advised that professional development opportunities are provided for staff in various settings. The nature and type of professional development opportunity will be determined by the specific professional requirements of staff such as Education Welfare Officers, Educational Psychologists, Drivers etc.

In particular, training is provided where there is a statutory requirement in areas such as health and safety, child protection, food safety etc.

In-house training is also developed for a number of areas to meet service needs.