AQW 34328/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 24/10/2025
Answered On Date: 06/11/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 33047/22-27, to detail (i) the role of; (ii) the staffing roles within; and (iii) the vacancies outstanding in, the SEN Reform Delivery Unit.

Answer:

The Special Educational Needs (SEN) Reform and Inclusion Development Directorate (SRIDD) has been established as the Delivery Unit for SEN Reform. It is led by a Director and Assistant Director. The Unit is structured into three distinct teams.

The SEN Reform Delivery Team (SRDT) is currently made up of a Grade 7 officer, three Deputy Principals, three Staff Officers and one Executive Officer 2. Its primary focus is on the design, implementation and operationalisation of a range of actions outlined within the SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan, subject to funding.

The SEN Reform Support Team (SRST) is currently made up of two Deputy Principals, and one Executive Officer 2. This team provides technical support for the delivery of SEN Reform. Its responsibilities include governance and accountability, project management, financial monitoring, outcomes evaluation, data collection and analysis and the development and delivery of a comprehensive communication and engagement plan.

The Inclusion Development Team (IDT) currently consists of one Grade 7 officer and one Deputy Principal. It is tasked with advancing the Inclusion Framework being developed in conjunction with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education (EASNIE).

The Directorate is supported by 0.5 NISRA statistician.

Currently there are seven vacancies within SRIDD:

one Executive Officer 1 and one Administrative Officer within SRDT;

one Grade 7 and two Staff Officers within SRST;

one Staff Officer and one Executive Officer 2 within IDT.