To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 20503/22-27, (i) for his assessment of the current capacity at Clarawood School, Belfast, to meet demand for specialist Social, Behavioural, Emotional and Wellbeing (SBEW) Needs; and (ii) whether he plans to introduce new or additional SBEW specialist settings in Northern Ireland.

There is pressure for places at Clarawood School for pupils with Social, Behavioural, Emotional and Wellbeing (SBEW) needs. The Education Authority (EA) is currently carrying out assessments to identify both short and long-term solutions to allow the school to meet this demand; this includes options to extend provision on the current Clarawood site as well as other off-site options.

As indicated in the EA’s Operational Plan 2 (OP2), a ‘Plan of Action’ is being developed for special school provision in each Local Government District (LGD) to meet projected need with recommendations to be published by September 2025.

The EA provides Behaviour Support and Provisions to schools and children and young people with identified SBEW needs through its regional service.