To ask the Minister of Education to outline any specific support being made available by (i) the Education Welfare Service; and (ii) schools, to children identified as experiencing hidden homelessness.

My Department, in partnership with the Education Authority (EA) and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), is committed to enhancing support for children and young people experiencing all forms of homelessness. This includes the development and promotion of targeted educational resources, teacher training, youth engagement initiatives, and direct support through the Education Welfare Service (EWS).

Schools and the EWS collaborate to identify and support pupils experiencing hidden homelessness. Schools are encouraged to liaise with EA and EWS when a pupil’s housing situation changes, to ensure timely support.

The EWS works directly with affected families to support school attendance, continuity of education, and access to entitlements such as free school meals and uniform grants. The EWS assists with exam arrangements, including identifying suitable test centres and organising transport for displaced pupils. Where homelessness affects a child’s ability to sit entrance assessments (e.g. SEAG), the EWS supports applications for Special Circumstances or Special Provision.

Supports available to schools include resources developed by CCEA on homelessness, financial capability, and wellbeing. These resources are shared through newsletters, social media campaigns, and teacher support events. CCEA is currently evaluating these resources through a teacher questionnaire to inform future improvements.