Next steps on classroom support reform

The implementation will take account of feedback and concerns from pupils, families, schools and staff.

The EA is today setting out the timetable for the next steps following the recent public consultation on the future shape of classroom support.

The consultation set out the need to reform the current approach to ensure that support is tailored more effectively to the individual needs of children and young people with a statement of SEN - recognising the valuable and necessary contribution of classroom assistants while promoting a wider range of evidence-based interventions and supports where these will better meet a child’s needs. 

The EA reiterates that its planned reforms are to be introduced on a phased basis, with the first year – 2026-27 - prioritising schools that have already started developing different models of classroom support, and schools who are ready and willing to start to change.

Tomas Adell, EA's Chief Transformation Officer, said: 

“The public consultation has found very strong support for change.

“However, we also acknowledge that there are concerns on a range of issues including the pace of change, funding, access to support, pressures on schools and staff, and certainty and recognition for classroom assistants.

“Any reform plans have to take account of the wider landscape – the fact that an underfunded education system has struggled for years to meet rising demand for SEN services. Many parents are understandably suspicious about any changes, having fought hard to secure provision for their children.”

The next steps are set out below along with key reassurances on classroom reform:

• The phased roll-out of the Enhanced Support Model (ESM) will involve the “Early Adopter” schools in 2026-27 – schools that have evidenced other support for children alongside a one-to-one classroom assistant model for all pupils, as well as schools ready to make the change in the next year. This will help ensure that change is child-centred, needs-led and manageable for schools.
• EA is committed to continued engagement during the transition to ESM and there will be further opportunities for children and young people, their parents, schools, staff and other stakeholders across NI to be involved in shaping the way forward. Experience and learning will be shared – both positive and negative – and ongoing feedback across the education system will be encouraged. This will include publication in the autumn of a full public consultation response document and detailed implementation plan for the Enhanced Support Model. 
• EA also fully acknowledges the continuing mismatch between demand for SEN support services for schools and available capacity. Too many children and schools are having to wait for support, and this threatens confidence in much-needed reforms, so we will continue to work to address this imbalance. EA is clear that effective implementation of the Enhanced Support Model will require timely and appropriate access to specialist advice and support, including from Educational Psychology and Local IMPACT Teams. The expansion and further development of specialist advice and support services must be an integral part of classroom support reforms. 

The classroom support public consultation closed on 22 May 2026. More than 3,000 responses were received, with almost 1,000 parents, classroom assistants, teachers, SENCOs, principals and education leaders also taking part in engagement events.

Responses demonstrated strong recognition that reform of the current SEN classroom support model is urgent, but also that change must be clear, carefully managed and focused on improving the lived experience of children, families, staff and schools. 

Respondents also highlighted the need for timely specialist advice, clearer information about how the model will work in practice, and investment in classroom assistants to give them better access to training and develop specialist skills, and greater recognition for the key role they play.

Responses to the consultation included 2,942 submissions through the online Citizen Space platform. These showed:

• More than 78% of respondents via Citizen Space supported giving schools greater freedom to adapt support to individual pupils.
• There was also clear recognition of the need for change, with more than 71% agreeing that reform of the current SEN classroom support model is a matter of urgency.

More information on consultation responses is available here: Update on Public Consultation.