Getting extra help at school in Northern Ireland

Children with special educational needs (SEN) should get the support they need at school, nursery or pre-school. 

Most children get support provided by the school. But some children need more support than schools can provide. In these cases, they may get a statement of SEN. 

What is a statement of SEN? 

A statement of SEN sets out: 

• your child’s needs 
• the support they must get 
• the school they will attend. 

It is written by the Education Authority (EA) after a formal assessment, called a statutory assessment. 

A statement is legally binding, which means the support listed in it must be provided. 

Only the EA can carry out a statutory assessment, and this is the only way to get a statement. 

Levels of support 

Schools in Northern Ireland use a three-stage approach: 

• Stage 1: support provided by the school 
• Stage 2: school support with help from outside specialists (arranged by the EA) 
• Stage 3: a statement of SEN. 

Your child may need a statement if support at stages 1 and 2 is not enough. 

At all stages, your child should be on the SEN register and have a personal learning plan (PLP). This describes the support they receive. PLPs are not legally binding.

Getting a statutory assessment

A statutory assessment is the first step towards getting a statement of SEN. 

Who can have a statutory assessment? 

• a child aged 2 to 16 (or under 2 with your consent) 
• a young person aged 16 to 19 who is still in school. 

An assessment should be considered if your child is not getting the right level of support at Stage 1 or Stage 2. 

Who can request a statutory assessment? 

You can request an assessment: 

• through the school (they must involve you) 
• by asking the EA yourself. 

Professionals such as health or social care staff can also request an assessment, but if the EA says no to them, you can’t appeal. You should always make your own request as well to protect your right to appeal. 

You should: 

• talk to the school first 
• contact the EA directly if needed. 

You can use our letter template to request a meeting with the school. 

Requests to the EA must be made in writing – by letter or through the EA’s online form. 

What happens after you ask for a statutory assessment? 

The EA must decide within 6 weeks whether to carry out an assessment. 

They will: 

• confirm they are considering your request 
• give you a named officer to contact 
• ask for your views and any evidence. 

You have 22 days to send in evidence. 

By law, the EA must carry out an assessment unless: 

• one was completed in the last 6 months, or 
• they decide it is not needed. 

If they agree, they will gather information from: 

• you and your child 
• the school 
• professionals such as educational psychologists and health services. 

What if your request is refused? 

If the EA refuses to carry out an assessment, they must explain why. 

You can: 

• get free mediation through the Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Service (DARS) 
• appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). 

Getting a statement of SEN

An assessment doesn’t always lead to a statement. The EA may decide the school can meet your child’s needs without one. 

In this case, support will continue through a personal learning plan (PLP), which is not legally binding. 

Some parents find it difficult to get the right support in place. Knowing your rights can help you ask for the support your child needs. 

Your rights 

The SEN system in Northern Ireland is based on: 

• The Education Order (Northern Ireland) 1996 
• The SEN Code of Practice (1998)  
• The Education (SEN) Regulations 2005 
• Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern lreland) Order 2005. 

These set out what the EA and schools must do. 

The SEN Code of Practice explains how the law should work in practice. 

A new Code of Practice is being introduced, but it is not yet fully in place. 

What should be in a statement? 

A statement has a set format. It must include: 

• your child’s details 
• their educational needs 
• the support they will get 
• how progress will be reviewed 
• the school they will go to. 

The sections on needs, support and school are legally binding. 

It may also include health or social care needs, but these parts are not legally binding. 

Responding to the proposed statement 

After the assessment, the EA will send you a proposed statement and reports. 

You have 15 days to: 

• comment on it 
• ask for a meeting to discuss it. 

After this, the EA will either: 

• send an updated proposal, or 
• issue the final statement. 

You can appeal the final statement if you are not happy with it. The EA will tell you how to do this. 

Requesting a school

The final statement will name your child’s school placement. 

You can say which school you prefer, but this does not guarantee a place. If the EA names a different school, you can appeal to SENDIST. 

The EA usually expects children to attend mainstream schools unless: 

• it is not suitable for your child 
• it affects other pupils 
• it is not a good use of resources. 

Annual review

The EA must review the statement at least once a year. 

The review looks at: 

• your child’s progress 
• whether support is working 
• whether changes are needed. 

The school organises the review, but the EA makes the final decision. 

Possible outcomes include: 

• changes to the statement 
• no changes 
• ending the statement. 

You can appeal some decisions. 

Timescales in brief

• EA to decide whether to assess: 6 weeks 
• Time for you to send evidence: 22 days 
• EA to carry out the assessment: 10 weeks 
• EA to issue a statement: 2 weeks (after assessment ends) 
• Appeal: 2 months (after statement issued.) 

Getting help and support

You may find it helpful to: 

• connect with other parents or carers 
• join local support groups 
• use the Autism Services Directory to find support. 

You can also contact organisations that offer advice, advocacy or legal support.