AQW 35607/22-27


Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford


Tabled Date: 17/11/2025
Answered On Date: 01/12/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 29931/22-27, to detail any work being undertaken to ensure (i) suitable school placements are available in September 2026, for pupils with a statement of special educational needs; and (ii) appropriate contingency provisions are in place to provide placements for children of this age cohort, who are statemented after the October 2025 census date.


Answer:
The Education Authority (EA) has advised that:
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of children presenting with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and in the complexity of their needs identified. While many children with SEN have their needs met through enhanced support within mainstream classes, the changing pupil profile has raised placement challenges due to the limited capacity within Special Schools and Specialist Provision within mainstream settings for pupils with complex educational needs.
Ensuring all children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) receive appropriate placements to meet their individual needs remains a critical priority for the EA.
The EA is actively working to increase capacity across the school estate to meet demand for September 2026. To date, 39 schools are establishing specialist provision, which will create an additional 41 classes and approximately 328 places. This includes several schools where interim solutions have been identified to create capacity for 2026 placements, though some of these arrangements still require formal school approval.
Additionally, the pressure identified for Special Schools is currently being reviewed through capacity meetings with the 40 individual special school principals.
The EA's SEN Capacity Team continues to engage directly with schools to discuss provision requirements for 2026, with a view to increasing capacity further. In November 2025, over 300 schools were invited to engagement events, with 64 schools attending. EA have now offered the 236 schools that who did not/could not attend these events, 4 additional dates in December to engage directly on this important issue for our children and young people.
The EA will continue to work directly with parents of children who are statemented after the October 2025 census date to identify and secure access to education in line with their individual needs identified. Our vision is to ensure that all children are educated in an inclusive environment within their local community, receiving support tailored to their identified needs to help them reach their full potential.