The Minister said: “The Learning Partnership Day brings together educationalists such as teachers, classroom assistants, therapists and medical staff to inform and to raise awareness of the whole school approach in meeting the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
"It is vital that we develop a holistic approach to education that identifies the educational needs of all children, whenever they occur, and supporting these needs as early as possible. Collaborative working, with a focus on outcomes for pupils rather than on the needs of institutions or buildings, represents the way forward for education.”
Schools across the north are now engaged in innovative and creative approaches to collaborative working through the Area Learning Communities. There are 29 such Area Learning Communities, which seek to plan and co-ordinate collaborative provision in a coherent way.
The Minister continued: “My aim is to ensure that every child and young person who faces a barrier to learning is given a fair and equal chance. There has been a steady increase in the number of children identified with special educational needs from 14.5% of the school population in 2003 to 18.6% in 2008.
“That is why my Department commenced a review of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion in April 2006 to address a range of issues associated with the current SEN framework. The Review aims to both strengthen the current provision for our children with SEN and address the growing diversity of need in our schools.
“The proposals emanating from the review are at present with the Executive awaiting approval to proceed to consultation. I hope that the Executive will urgently approve these proposals for consultation as soon as possible so that everyone involved can contribute to the shaping of the final policy.”
Notes to Editors:
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