Yearly cycle of concern and delay on SEN School Places can and must be ended

A spokesperson for the Education Authority said:

“The yearly cycle of concern and delay on SEN school places can, and must, be ended, the Education Authority has underlined.

“Over several years, the EA has faced projected shortfalls in the number of SEN places for new school years. The majority of these relate to places required for pupils in Nursery, P1 and Year 8.

“Intensive work has led to the creation of over 6,000 additional SEN places between 2020-2025. For September 2025 alone, 1,374 additional places have been created.

“However, as of late last month - 27/08/2025 – a small number of children remained unplaced. It was also anticipated that around 100 children with places would not be able to attend full-time at the beginning of the school year – although in all cases the children would be receiving at least part time education provision. That's because of ongoing construction works to facilitate additional SEN places, as part of the large-scale drive to extend provision.

“As of today - 08/09/2025 – the number of children that needed a school place as of 30/06/25 is now zero. 

“The number of children with SEN with confirmed school places but who are not yet able to attend full-time is now 80.

“The EA is very conscious of the anxiety and distress experienced by children and families both awaiting confirmation of school placements and full-time access to these places.

“Placing pupils with SEN is a year-round process and we are already working intensively on expanding SEN provision for the 2026-27 school year.

“The annual cycle can be ended by significantly expanding the number of mainstream schools offering specialist SEN provision. This can be successfully achieved through partnership working with schools and ensuring they receive the necessary support.”