AQW 50321/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 02/07/2026
Answered On Date: 06/07/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any reforms planned to improve post-19 transitions for young people with special educational needs, given issues raised in the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report entitled, Disability and poverty in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

Post 19 provision is the responsibility of the Minister for the Economy. My department is collaborating with colleagues from the Departments for the Economy, Health and Communities to ensure young people receive the support they need when transitioning from school to adult life.

Developing appropriate transitions support and pathways for post 16 and post 19 of young people with special educational needs (SEN) is a key priority within my SEN Reform Agenda. I am committed to strengthening this collaboration as officials continue to engage with departments, agencies and the voluntary and community sector to explore all opportunities to support learners with SEN as they leave education.