AQW 29686/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 01/07/2025
Answered On Date: 09/07/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any contingency plans which are in place to ensure that children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs will still receive the education they have a right to, if they do not have a school place by September 2025.

Answer:

The Education Authority (EA) has advised that:

It is the EA aim to have all children who have a statement of SEN allocated a placement for September 2025. Over the last five to ten working days the residual pressure for placements has reduced to around 50 children, and with continued work over the summer, it may be possible to reduce this to zero by the start of the next school year. Finding the final places will be particularly challenging.

Contingency arrangements are based on the needs of the pupils and EA will work closely with the impacted schools and families to implement contingencies to make sure there is no or minimal impact for our children and young people.