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SEN in Northern Ireland

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The following stages of assessment are set out in the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.

Educational assessments for children under school age

If your child has a disability or health problem which has caused concern from an early age, they may be referred to the Education and Library Board (the Board) for an assessment. If your child is over two years of age, you can ask the Board to make a statutory assessment of special educational needs. Following an assessment, the Board will decide whether it is necessary to make a statement of your child’s special educational needs.

Educational assessments for children at school

Some children’s special educational needs will be identified when a child is at school. The following stages are set out in the Code of Practice.

Stage 1 – this is when a teacher identifies your child as having special educational needs. These concerns are discussed with you and recorded.

Stage 2 – the teacher responsible for special educational needs consults with other teachers and you to draw up an education plan for your child.

Stage 3 – this is when a request for help from external services or a specialist is made to meet your child’s needs and a new education plan is drawn up.

Requesting a statutory assessment

Where it is felt your child still has significant needs which cannot be met by the actions of previous stages, the school, other professionals involved with your child or you may ask the Board to make a statutory assessment of your child.

Statements in Northern Ireland

The statementing process in Northern Ireland is very similar to that in England and Wales. However, the timescale is different. The process from the time when the assessment begins until the board issues a proposed statement should usually take no longer than 18 weeks.

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