AQW 50949/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 04/09/2026
Answered On Date: 16/09/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the Social Behaviour and Emotional Wellbeing pilot in special schools.

Answer:

The Education Authority has advised that, in response to the increasing social, behavioural and emotional wellbeing needs of pupils and the subsequent need to enhance the special school workforce, a job description was developed for a Social Behavioural, Emotional and Wellbeing Support and Intervention Officer. Whilst a small number of schools were allocated this role, recruitment has not been successful in some cases, in others it is still ongoing. In this regard, it is not yet possible to provide a robust update on the impact of the role, however, this will be closely monitored during the 2026/27 academic year.