Northern Ireland schools support over 70,000 pupils with special educational needs, or one in five pupils. The Education Authority plans changes to classroom assistance for these pupils. A consultation on the proposals ends on 22 May.

Dr Tomas Adell of the Education Authority stated the changes provide schools more flexibility to support pupils. He added evidence shows individual classroom assistants do not suit every pupil. Adell said the reforms avoid reducing assistant numbers or cutting spending.

Education Minister Paul Givan said the changes ensure pupils receive appropriate support from suitable staff at the correct time and location. The Authority noted the current system fails to meet needs, leads to worse outcomes and faces rising costs, with the budget projected to reach £1 billion by 2030.

Over 34,000 pupils hold statements of special educational needs, up 85% in ten years. The process to issue these statements will shift online. The Department of Education and Authority have added classes for these pupils in mainstream schools to address place shortages, though delays persist.

Rachel Hogan of the Children's Law Centre said a revised legal framework for SEN arrived after years of delay. She noted reforms started without Assembly scrutiny of regulations and code of practice, calling it potentially unlawful.

Dr Graham Gault of the NAHT union said school leaders cannot take on Authority responsibilities without legal authority and support. Nick Mathison MLA and Pat Sheehan MLA, chair and vice-chair of the Education Committee, called for a pause in reforms.

The Authority responded that a joint letter from critics contains inaccuracies. It stated reforms roll out gradually over years, shaped by input from children, parents and schools.