AQW 26997/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education

To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 15912/22-27 and AQO 1108/22-27, for an update on any plans he has to expand interventions as part of the Early Intervention Transformation Programme to pre-school and nursery school settings which enroll Children Looked After.

Asked by Nick Mathison MLA on 13 May 2025

  • Answered
  • Written
Tabled
13 May 2025
Answer due by
29 May 2025
Answered
21 May 20258 days after tabling
Department
Department of Education
Priority question
No

Answer

As previously advised, the focus on early intervention in respect of Children Looked After (CLA), has been to make provisions at a primary level and this has been delivered by the Education Authority under the auspices of the ‘Primary Children Looked After Advisory Service’.

An independent evaluation of this service is planned for during Academic year 2025/26 and officials will then bring forward recommendations for my consideration.

It is important to note that any expansion into early years settings will be contingent upon the availability of financial resources.

Official sources