AQW 33681/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 16/10/2025
Answered On Date: 31/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of whether the Executive Office should lead on coordinating reform to post-19 special educational needs provision, given the cross-cutting nature of this work.

Answer:

Special Educational Needs (SEN) transitions is a significant cross-cutting issue across the Executive. Education leads on SEN transformation which includes commitments on transitions, and Economy has undertaken significant work on post-19 SEN support.

Health and Social Care plays a significant role in supporting children with SEN that have a learning disability, within services for children with disabilities and adult learning disability.

Effective transitions and next steps for people with SEN requires a whole government approach. It is critical that we support children with SEN to have the same choices and opportunities as everyone else to further their education, seek employment and live in their home. It is recognised that effective transitions management is ultimately dependent on the availability of appropriate resources, and I am committed to close working with other Departments to improve the provision and options available to all young people.