The Education Authority in Northern Ireland has launched a public consultation on reforms to classroom support for pupils with special educational needs. The proposals aim to provide schools with greater flexibility in arranging support to match individual pupil requirements.

Current evidence indicates that assigning a dedicated classroom assistant to every pupil with special educational needs does not serve as the optimal approach in all cases. The planned changes will allow schools to tailor support arrangements accordingly while ensuring that any pupil requiring individual assistance continues to receive it.

A fixed model of one-on-one support can limit pupils' participation in group activities and skill development. The growing number of pupils with special educational needs combined with workforce shortages will lead to gaps in provision within 18 to 24 months without these adjustments.

The reforms form part of the Department of Education's broader agenda to enhance special educational needs services. Additional measures include expanding access to external support for schools and increasing specialist places through special school growth and mainstream SEN classes.

No reduction in classroom assistant numbers or spending is planned, and no redundancies will occur. The changes seek to optimize the use of existing staff to deliver effective education.

The Education Authority urges schools, parents, teachers, classroom assistants, and pupils to participate in the consultation.