IPPN Conference 2006 Quality Leadership-Quality Learning SEN, An Eye to the Future Don Mahon Inspectorate Department of Education and Science February 2-4 CityWest Hotel, Saggart

SEN, An Eye to the Future Where have we come from? Where are we now? Where are we going?

St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra 2 February 2006 Minister’s Announcement November 1998 A major initiative in special education which provides the first ever automatic supports for many children with disabilities was today announced by the Minister for Education and Science, Micheál Martin TD. The initiative in particular marks a breakthrough for integrated education and children with autism. The measures involved, which have been approved by Government, are aimed at ensuring that all children with a special educational need, irrespective of their location or disability, will receive the support they require to participate fully in the education system. The measures, which extend across the entire spectrum of special needs will deliver extra teaching and child care services to all special needs children, whether in groups or in individual isolated settings. The key measures announced by the Minister include: The introduction of a formalised system of special teaching support for all children attending schools on a fully integrated basis who have been assessed as having special educational needs. The introduction of a formalised system of child care support for all children with special needs, including those in special schools, special classes and ordinary schools, who have been assessed as requiring such support.

Minister’s Announcement Nov 1998 Resource implications …..over the next year, additional 65 teacher posts 200 child care posts £4 million in 1999 Resource implications. Ultimately this will be determined by: the number of special needs children presenting, the nature of their special requirements, whether they require placement in a special school; in a special class or in an integrated setting, and the extent to which the school in question already has available special support services. The exact cost of the initiatives announced today are difficult to estimate. This said, over the next year, we would envisage allocations equivalent to an additional 65 teacher posts and some 200 child care posts (almost £4 million in 1999). Arrangements are being made to develop accurate up-to-date details on all special needs children in the system; their locations; their specific needs etc.. this data will allow for an efficient and accurate targeting of resources under the new measures. The key points are that: Where a child care need is identified, it will be responded to, Where a need for special teaching support is identified, it will be responded to, In all cases we will have the flexibility to respond on the basis of the need of the child, and Up-to-date data will be available to the department to ensure that every special needs child is responded to.

Allocation Systems Circular 08/99 Circular 08/02 Self certification Verification General Allocation Scheme Individualised allocations for low-incidence special educational needs (NCSE) Circular 02/05

Category of Teacher Number of Posts (Approx. figures) Teacher posts for special educational needs in primary schools Category of Teacher Number of Posts (Approx. figures) Learning-support / resource teachers (for learning- support, L-I and H-I special educational needs (4682FT + 462 WTE posts) 5144 Special class teachers 500 Resource teacher for Travellers posts 463 Visiting teachers (Trav. and SEN 40+41) 81 Total 6488 Teachers in special schools 1,149 English language teacher posts 541 Total Teachers in National Schools 27,800 Total SNAs (incl WTE posts) 6273 (In mainstream classes in mainstream schools › 4000)

Administrative Structures and Supports National Educational Psychological Service National Council for Curriculum and Assessment National Education Welfare Board Local Offices of Department of Education The Visiting Teacher Service Programmes in Special Needs Education at National Level School Leadership Programme Learning-Support Guidelines + PCSP in-service programme Special Education Support Service School Development Planning Programme North South Initiatives

National Council for Special Education

Legislation Education Act, 1998 Equal Status Act, 2000 Education Welfare Act, 2000 Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004

Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004 Education plan Provision of services Assessment Duties of principal teachers Duties of SENO Designation of school Functions of NCSE Special Education Appeals Board