AQW 33164/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education

To ask the Minister of Education to detail any work that has been undertaken to plan for post-16 specialist provision in mainstream schools, as committed to in the SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan 2025-2030.

Asked by Nick Mathison MLA on 9 October 2025

  • Answered
  • Written
  • After due date
Tabled
9 October 2025
Answer due by
24 October 2025
Answered
27 October 202518 days after tabling
Department
Department of Education
Priority question
No

Answer

The Education Authority (EA) has advised that:

Planning for specialist provision for pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN) who attend mainstream schools requires consideration of the full pathway of learning from the early years through to the young person leaves school.

EA is monitoring emerging policy around statutory provision in full time education for all young people to the age of 18 and is actively starting to implement actions of the SEN Reform Delivery Plan.

Moving forward EA officers will work with schools to explore future options and develop place-based solutions for inclusive 16-18 provision in different parts of Northern Ireland.

Official sources