AQW 30089/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 02/09/2025
Answered On Date: 09/09/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 29230/22-27, for an update on the review of the population needs of children attending Special Educational Needs schools.

Answer:

This issue remains a key priority for my Department. Over the summer period, work has continued to complete the Public Health Agency’s review of the population health needs of children attending Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools in Northern Ireland and the current nursing contribution in meeting their health needs. I expect the report to be finalised and provided to me shortly.

In addition to this work, as set out in my response to AQW 29514/22-27, the PHA, is leading a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic needs of children with Special Educational Needs in Special Schools. I expect the first stage of this process to complete by the end of the year.

Both these exercises will provide evidence-based assessments of the complex healthcare and therapeutic needs of children and young people in SEN schools, to inform a wider, child centred multidisciplinary understanding and approach, which in turn will help support decisions around how to best meet the population health needs.