AQW 24832/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 21/03/2025
Answered On Date: 07/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether there has been a policy change to the effect that special schools are now the only location where children and young people with Severe Learning Difficulties are placed.

Answer:

The statutory duty for the placement of children rests with the Education Authority (EA) under Article 6 of the 1986 Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order.

Children with special educational needs (SEN) are educated in a range of education settings dependent on their individual needs and parental preference.