AQW 23752/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 04/03/2025
Answered On Date: 11/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any assessments conducted to determine the functional abilities of a young person with a statement of special educational needs before they leave school at 19 years of age.

Answer:

As part of transition planning at the Annual Review of the young person’s statement of special educational needs, the relevant Health and Social Care Trust may consider a needs assessment for young people in preparation for moving from children to adult services.

This needs assessment may help determine areas such as functional abilities, emotional wellbeing, social/communication skills, awareness/decision making, behaviour, personal care, mobility, travel/independence and determine the young person’s needs or any risks. Such assessment may be required to assist the Health and Social Care Trust in identifying an appropriate supported or governed Health and Social Care post school provision (e.g. day centre or day opportunities). The assessment may also be used to assist in transition arrangements to facilitate any move over to the post school option.

Where a school requests the involvement from Education Psychology as part of the annual review process, Education Psychology will undertake a review assessment.