AQW 23411/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 26/02/2025
Answered On Date: 05/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the number of (i) Local Impact Teams have been established by the Education Authority; and (ii) schools that each Local Impact Team covers.

Answer:

The SEND Local IMPACT Teams (LIT) model is being implemented in phases. EA’s existing siloed SEND services staff will transition into a network of local multi-specialism teams across Term 3 to be fully operational in September 2025. Extensive regular engagement with stakeholders has highlighted widespread support for the Local IMPACT Team model and its phased implementation providing settings with more time to prepare for the changes the new model will bring.

The EA’s SEND Transformation Team are in the final stages of defining LIT catchment areas and staff allocation to maximise accessibility and capacity. Engagement with directly affected staff and Tade Unions are about to be initiated, and once that engagement has been completed, the details of the LIT network structure and distribution will be shared publicly.