AQW 52502/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 21/09/2026
Answered On Date: 02/10/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any interim measures being put in place to ensure special schools are (i) legally protected; and (ii) adequately trained to manage complex behavioural profiles, whilst awaiting approval for an Education Authority business case for additional Positive Behaviour Handling Training Team Teach Tutors.

Answer:

The Education Authority (EA) has advised that it has redirected internal trainers who are accredited to support coordination of a number of sessions of training and included special schools. A number of special schools have availed of this training. Where appropriate and subject to resource availability, bespoke sessions have been arranged for individual schools. Some schools have themselves arranged and availed of Team Teach’s blended learning training to ensure staff receive accredited training. The Educational Psychology Service has also developed training specifically for special school staff on managing behaviours of concern. This has been added to the EA Learn platform for schools to access.