Eleven roadshows across the North to discuss Special Educational Needs

A series of public roadshows on the Review of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion (SEN) will take place this month.

The 11 roadshows, led by the Department of Education, will discuss the policy proposals emerging from the SEN Review and will be held across the north of Ireland.

Speaking at St.Paul’s High School, Bessbrook to launch the public roadshows, Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane said: “These meetings will give parents, voluntary groups, educational professionals and anyone with an interest in SEN, the opportunity to hear the proposals first hand. I want everyone to have a chance to comment on the proposals, put forward ideas and help us strengthen the provision for children and young people with special educational needs.

“We need a system that is more responsive, one which can adapt quickly to remove barriers to learning so that every child has the best chance of reaching their potential.”

In July this year, the Executive gave its agreement to the policy proposals emerging from this review, enabling the 12 week public consultation to begin in August and finish on 31 October 2009.

“Today, over 18% of our children and young people in school have special educational needs and one in four experience greater difficulties in learning than their peers. That is why this public consultation is so vitally important, we must take this opportunity to create a robust and accountable framework and provide as much support as possible for pupils, teachers and parents.

“I look forward to receiving views and comments on the proposals from parents, pupils, professionals and encourage anyone with an interest in the area of SEN to send in your thoughts and ideas.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The roadshows will take place from 4.00pm – 6.00pm at the following venues and are open to the public;

• Tuesday 8 September 2009, Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown
• Wednesday 9 September 2009, Marine Court Hotel, Bangor
• Tuesday 15 September 2009, Everglades Hotel, Derry
• Wednesday 16 September 2009, Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen
• Thursday 17 September 2009, Leisureplex, Lisburn
• Tuesday 22 September 2009, Leighinmohr House, Ballymena
• Wednesday 23 September 2009, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh
• Thursday 24 September 2009, Beechlawn Hotel, Belfast
• Monday 28 September 2009 , The Lodge, Coleraine
• Tuesday 29 September 2009, Canal Court Hotel, Newry
• Wednesday 30 September 2009, Armagh City Hotel, Armagh

2. The Department has undertaken a Review of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion to address a range of issues associated with the current special educational needs framework. These included inconsistencies and delays in identification, assessment and provision, growing numbers of statemented children and the bureaucracy attached to the current arrangements.

3. Throughout the policy development phase the review team engaged with a wide range of key stakeholders from the statutory and voluntary sector, parents and children and young people. In addition three advisory groups were established consisting of key stakeholders from all phases and sectors in education and also included a presentation from the health and social care sector. This extensive pre-consultation activity contributed to the draft policy proposals through the provision of many positive suggestions and ideas about the ways the current support framework for children with SEN could be improved.

4. The public consultation process will run until 31 October 2009.

5. Copies of the consultation and response documents, a children’s version and the EQIA document are available on the Department of Education website.

6. On-line responses can be forwarded to: seninclusion@deni.gov.uk

7. Paper responses can also be posted direct to the Review of SEN and Inclusion Team, Room G18, Department of Education, Rathgael House, Balloo Road, Bangor, BT19 7PR.

8. Media queries, contact the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9701. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.