AQW 32586/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 02/10/2025
Answered On Date: 13/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail whether pre-school providers can access educational psychology services.

Answer:

The Education Authority (EA) has advised that pre-school children in both statutory and non-statutory settings who present with significant and complex needs may be referred to Educational Psychology Services via agreed pathways involving Health Trusts, Paediatric Services and Allied Health Professionals.

Statutory nurseries continue to have access to Educational Psychology support. Each setting has a named Educational Psychologist and can request consultation through the Request for Involvement process.

The EA is currently developing a referral pathway for children attending non-statutory nursery settings. This work is being phased in as part of the five-year strategic programme and is not yet fully operational. In the interim, non-statutory nurseries can request support through Local Impact Teams Solution-Focused Hubs, co-ordinated by EA.