Education Authority Three Year Communications Strategy 2026/27 - 2028/29 - Education Authority Three Year Communications Strategy 2026/27 - 2028/29

Introduction

The Education Authority (EA) recognises the critical importance of effective communications and engagement with children and young people, parents/carers, schools and our staff.

This is essential for supporting children and young people through their educational journey and formative years, helping them get off to the best start in life.

The EA employs approximately 49,300 people and is the biggest single employer in Northern Ireland. The scope and scale of what it delivers is both vast and significant. It is therefore extremely important that EA listens, responds and ultimately delivers for children and young people.

We know from regular engagement with a wide range of stakeholders that there is significant scope to improve how we communicate and engage.

The Landscape Review of EA highlighted a number of key areas for improvement, including taking a more child centred approach; building better relationships and improving communications with schools; better involving stakeholders in service improvement and transformation; raising awareness both internally and externally of what EA does and the impact it makes; improving internal communications and engagement with staff, demonstrating visible leadership; and developing stronger media and political engagement.

Critical to building confidence and trust in EA is robust service delivery together with effective communications and engagement.

It is also fair to say some frustration with, and criticism, of EA is based on a less than full understanding of our roles and responsibilities. Good communications will help address this.

Building on progress already made, the Communications Strategy 2026/27 to 2028/29 sets out seven key pillars outlining the strategic direction for how EA will seek to improve communications and engagement with all of its stakeholders over the next three years. Under each pillar are key actions that will be taken forward from now on.

The strategy and action plans will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis for 2027/28 and 2028/29 years respectively. This will help ensure key commitments and activities are up to date, fit for purpose and delivering the necessary improvements.

As media, communications, and digital channels are constantly changing, the strategy will also seek to embrace new opportunities to engage with audiences in an innovative, targeted and measurable way, with a key focus on outcomes.

This is a fluid document and will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis