Draft Refreshed SEN Framework for Specialist Provision - Public Consultation

A specialist provision is a small group class within a school for children and young people whose special educational needs are best met in a specialist small group setting. Children in specialist provisions are part of their school community and are supported to learn and participate alongside their peers. 

The Draft Refreshed SEN Framework for Specialist Provision is a high-level strategic document produced by the Education Authority (EA) that defines how specialist provision in schools will be planned, developed and sustained across Northern Ireland. It sets out the EA's vision, criteria and guiding principles for delivering specialist provision to children and young people with a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN). The Framework is aligned with the Department of Education's SEN Reform Agenda and the SEN Reform Agenda Delivery Plan 2025–2030. 

The original Framework has been in place for a number of years. Since its publication, demand for specialist provision has grown rapidly, the complexity and diversity of pupils' needs have changed significantly, and the policy and legislative landscape has evolved. The refresh updates the Framework to reflect these operational changes, to align with the Department of Education's five-year Delivery Plan, and to ensure that provision remains consistent, equitable and fit for purpose across Northern Ireland. The Framework will guide planning from September 2026 to August 2028, at which point a further refresh will be published.

Demand for specialist provision places in mainstream schools has grown substantially in recent years and is projected to continue rising. Population projections prepared by NISRA for the Department of Education indicate that almost 4,529 additional specialist provision places will be required by 2033/34. This growth reflects a number of factors, including early identification of need, increased diagnostic activity, and a more complex presentation of special educational needs. Special schools are also experiencing sustained enrolment pressures because of the growing demand for places across the wider SEN continuum.

The EA's vision is for a flexible and agile network of specialist provision, complementary to special schools, which ensures that children and young people with a Statement of SEN can access high-quality, needs-led support in an appropriate setting. This means provision that is available at a child's nearest suitable school, offers equitable access regardless of where a family lives, provides clear pathways from early years through to post-16, responds to changing educational, physical and medical needs, and promotes inclusion alongside peers wherever appropriate.

The Framework aims to deliver a consistent, child-centred and inclusive model of specialist provision across all areas of Northern Ireland. Key objectives include: improving outcomes for children with a Statement of SEN; ensuring sufficient capacity to meet current and projected demand; reducing geographical inconsistencies in the availability of provision; reducing the need for out-of-area placements and long travel times; and improving consistency in the model, quality and naming of specialist provisions across the region.

The Framework directly supports the Northern Ireland Executive's Programme for Government 2024–2027 priority of 'Better Support for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs'. It aligns with the Department of Education's SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan 2025–2030, which sets out a whole-system approach to ensuring children and young people with SEN receive the right support, from the right people, at the right time and in the right place.

The Framework is underpinned by five core principles. It is child-centred, placing the best interests of the child at the heart of all planning and decision-making. It is inclusive, ensuring children with SEN have opportunities to learn alongside their peers as valued members of the school community. It is outcomes-focused, with a clear emphasis on evidencing improved outcomes and greater independence. It is equitable, seeking consistency in the nature and quality of provision across Northern Ireland. And it is transparent and collaborative, working in partnership with schools, health and social care trusts, and other key stakeholders.

The main changes we are proposing are: 

• The Framework now covers all schools, not just mainstream schools. We want every child with a statement of SEN to be able to access the right support as close to home as possible, reducing the need to travel long distances. 
• We are committed to making specialist provision more consistent across Northern Ireland so that where you live, does not determine the quality of support your child receives. 
• We are simplifying the process for establishing new specialist provision classes, so that schools can respond more quickly to the needs of children in their area. 

The updated Framework will guide our planning from September 2026 to August 2028. 

As a high-level strategic document, the Framework does not identify changes to individual schools, alter current pupil placements, review the statutory SEN assessment process, or prescribe specific curricular models for specialist provision. Decisions relating to individual schools or local areas will continue to be made through established area planning processes and will be subject to separate consultation where required.

Effective consultation is a fundamental part of the policy-making process. The EA is committed to engaging with stakeholders and the wider community to ensure the Framework is robust, fair and capable of meeting the diverse and changing needs of children and young people with SEN. The consultation provides an important opportunity for parents and carers, children and young people, schools, health and social care professionals, trade unions, local politicians and the general public to share their views and help shape the final Framework.

The EA is seeking responses from a wide range of stakeholders, including parents and guardians, pupils and young people, school principals and staff, classroom assistants, school governors, health and social care professionals, education and sectoral support organisations, political representatives, trade unions and members of the general public.

The EA is committed to making sure that children and young people with special educational needs receive the best possible support. Your experience and views are vital in helping us get this right.

The EA will consider all responses received and publish a Summary of Consultation report on its website. The final Framework, informed by the consultation, will be presented to the EA Board for approval and forwarded to the Department of Education for noting. Unless respondents specifically request confidentiality, the nature of their response may be included in the published summary. Respondents should also be aware that the EA's obligations under the Freedom of Information Act may require responses to be disclosed on request.

You can share your views by completing the short online questionnaire at Draft Refreshed SEN Framework for Specialist Provision - Public Consultation | Education Authority before 27 July 2026.

All responses will be treated fairly. A summary of responses will be published on the EA's website when the consultation is complete.