AQW 34130/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 22/10/2025
Answered On Date: 03/11/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any support his Department gives to post-primary schools, on supporting children who return to school after juvenile detention.

Answer:

The Education Authority (EA) provides coordinated reintegration support for post-primary pupils transitioning back to mainstream education following a juvenile justice placement. This support includes multi-agency planning and may involve EA’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) Local Impact Teams (LIT) through a formal request for involvement. Pupils may also access placements in full-time or partnership Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) centres, alongside tailored transition programmes to support a positive and successful return to mainstream education.

Summary of EA Support Services:

Multi-Agency Collaborative Planning: A team of professionals, including external agencies, works together to support the pupil’s reintegration into their registered school.

Risk Reduction Action Plan (RRAP): Advice and guidance on the development of a Risk Reduction Action Plan (RRAP) and other relevant education plans for the returning pupil

Request for Involvement: Guidance for school staff on the submission of a Request for Involvement for support from the pupil’s LIT, which may include transition support.

Parent/Carer Support: Signposting to relevant services and supports for families.

HOPE Counselling Service: Available to all post-primary pupils in mainstream, special or EOTAS requiring emotional support on request.