AQW 25330/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 31/03/2025
Answered On Date: 03/04/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education when he will publish (i) a Special Educational Needs Policy Statement; and (ii) an Inclusive Education Policy.

Answer:

The publication and application of a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy Statement to clearly set out the legislative position and the roles and responsibilities of the Department and the Education Authority (EA) is an enabling action within the SEN Reform Delivery Plan. The Policy Statement is currently being reviewed with planned publication in the coming weeks.

Supporting inclusion for children and young people with SEN is an underpinning principle throughout the SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan and the development of a longer-term plan to support inclusion is a specific action within the Delivery Plan.