Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools - Overview - Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools - Overview

Overview

Proposal to seek approval of Specialist Provision Classes 
(To be read in conjunction with the school specific consultation document on Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools)

Operational Plan

Consistent with the Framework for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools and the Special Education Strategic Area Plan 2022-27: Planning for Special Education Provision and, through the associated Operational Plans, a number of short and medium term workstreams for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools were identified.  The Operational Plans and workstream actions dovetail with the Education Authority’s Annual Plan of Arrangements as part of the implementation of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2016) and Code of Practice. The Annual Plan of Arrangements can be accessed on EA Annual Plan of Arrangements.

The priorities within Operational Plans are to ensure that there is sufficient capacity as well as seeking to address geographical, sectoral and linguistic inconsistencies, however, there still exists Special Educational Needs pressures and demand for places continues to grow on an annual basis.  Therefore, the Area Planning Team will continue to work with the Special Educational Needs Capacity Team to ensure that the Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools classes are considered as part of a robust consultation process under the new agile and flexible arrangements for establishing, changing and/or closing Specialist Provision classes in Mainstream Schools.  

Area Planning will continue to consider these priorities to ensure a sufficient number of Specialist Provision in Mainstream School places across the region.  This will be achieved through working with all stakeholders and Area Planning will continue to take forward consultations for establishing, changing and/or closing Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools as and when required, consistent with the Framework, Strategy and Operational Plans.  

Approval to establish, change and/or close a Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools will be taken to the Education Authority’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee following consideration of responses received through a consultation process.  The Education Authority will provide a Statement of Assurance to the Department of Education to confirm that consultation has taken place.

Section A below provides a background and context for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools.