4. Mr Tennyson asked the Minister of Education for an update on the end-to-end review of special educational needs (SEN). (AQO 655/22-27)

The end-to-end review of special educational needs was initiated in February 2023 and is being taken forward in four phases. Phase 1 is complete. It involved the establishment of governance structures and the scoping of the review and the 12 associated work streams. Phase 2 involves stakeholder engagement to shape the way forward. Phase 3 is the development of options, and phase 4 is the development of an implementation plan.

Phase 2 of the review is nearing completion and has focused on the development of potential solutions to the known issues. The findings from stakeholder engagement are being considered as part of a more detailed implementation plan. In the coming months, I intend to set out some early year 1 actions, with a view to rebuilding confidence and capability across the system. Those early actions will be embedded in a clear plan for the implementation of system-wide reform and will form part of the wider departmental bid to the newly established Northern Ireland Executive interim public-sector transformation board. The plan will focus on a framework that will ensure that children and young people with SEN and/or a disability get the right support from the right people at the right time and in the right place.

It is important that I emphasise the need for sustained investment to deliver the fundamental reforms that are emerging from the end-to-end review of SEN and to deliver a high-quality, efficient, effective and sustainable SEN system for the future.

I thank the Minister for that answer. He will be aware that there have been numerous reports into SEN provision in Northern Ireland over the past decade. What assurance can he give that the recommendations that arise from the end-to-end review will be implemented and will not simply sit on a shelf as others have done? When can we expect to see that implementation plan before the Assembly?

I have indicated that I intend to set out a number of early year 1 actions in the coming months. I appreciate the sentiment that the Member articulated about wanting to see real and tangible action in that area. We have the reviews and the evidence to show that change needs to happen. I will set out how we can take forward those changes and what we can do within a short time frame, and I will look to the longer-term systemic change that is needed. That includes actions in the areas of early intervention, pupil support, professional support in the classroom, and communication. It is envisaged that, in the first term of the new academic year, the Department will have a suite of alternative approaches for the deployment of classroom assistants, which will be available for schools if they wish to use them. That is just a sample of some of the short-term measures that I intend to outline in due course to help allay some of the concerns that the Member raised.

We had allied health professionals in front of us at the Health Committee last week. They raised some concerns about whether conversations were happening about the provision for children with special educational needs. Minister, although I appreciate that you are having an end-to-end review — the work that has been done by your Department is really positive — will you outline the conversations that are happening with the Health Department? Will it invest in those allied health professionals to ensure that support is there for children? Parents are really nervous about what is going on at the moment.

I agree with the Member and understand that nervousness; I hear it at first hand from parents when I meet them. It is about how we provide that overall support, not just educationally but when it comes to health needs. The requirement to have speech and language therapists available is one example of where children need support. There also needs to be support for behavioural issues. I am not satisfied with the current provision that exists as a result of the Department of Education and the Department of Health working in collaboration. We need to address that issue. There are local integrated teams that are meant to be there to help to work through those issues with children who have special educational needs, but the situation has to improve. I understand the challenges that the Department of Health is facing, but withdrawing health professionals from educational establishments is a retrograde step.

This is, obviously, a critical challenge for the Minister's Department, and I welcome his response. On stakeholder engagement, will the Minister detail whether he has been working with the voluntary and community sector? As he will know, it is critical to providing support and assistance for parents and children with special educational needs. Are there any methods of best practice that he has integrated into the review?

The Member outlines the importance of the voluntary and community sector. I know from my constituency the important role that it can play. Therefore, it is important that we harness the support that it can provide. Often, schools independently link in with the community and gain that support. I want to be there to help and facilitate all that, and, where there is best practice, I want to take that and share it across the education system.

Members of the voluntary and community sector have fed back to me that they still feel that the situation is similar to last year. It strikes me that there is a lack of confidence in the sector and, in particular, among parents trying to ensure that their children will be placed. There is an inequality, in that children in mainstream schools are placed in April; those with SEN are not.

Is there a question?

What reassurance can you give that the Department will not only prioritise placing those children but will place them somewhere that is suitable and appropriate to their needs?

I recently announced a bespoke capital programme for schools that cater for special educational needs. This term, I am addressing the short-term challenge around school placements for September, and we are working through that process. While it is of no comfort to the children and families who still need a place, we are in a better position than last year. Last year was an appalling place, but we are in a better place now compared with then.

I announced a capital programme with a 10-year plan. I announced that we would assess all 39 special schools, and those that need enhancement should be prioritised for those enhancement programmes. We announced new builds in Knockevin and Ardnashee and have recognised that there needs to be eight new special schools: four in Belfast and four in other parts of Northern Ireland. This Minister and this Executive recognise the challenge. We are looking to the longer term in having a strategic approach and dealing with the real challenge today for the children who need to be placed in September and their families.