Consultations

EA are committed to listening to what you have to say. In order to carry out effective consultations we need to be open about what we aim to achieve and carry them out in an accessible and consistent manner. This framework outlines our approach to consultation and engagement by setting out our aims and commitments in line with our values.

External Consultations Framework

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Consultations provide our wide range of stakeholders with an opportunity to have their say. We will publish consultation documents in this section of the website.

Current Consultations

Draft Refreshed SEN Framework for Specialist Provision - Public Consultation

Consultation on specialist provision classes in schools — share your views by 27 July 2026.

Closing Date

30 July 2026

Proposed Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools

The Education Authority is seeking views on Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools in the following schools:

Ashlea Primary School, Londonderry; Ballykelly Primary School; Ballytrea Primary School, Stewartstown; Bridge Integrated Primary School, Banbridge; Cloughmills Primary School, Ballymena; Dickson Primary School, Lurgan; Holy Family Primary School, Omagh; Holy Rosary Primary School, Belfast; Linn Primary School, Larne; Magherafelt Primary School; Parkhall Primary School, Antrim; St Brigid's Primary School, Carnhill; St Francis Primary School, Lurgan; St Mary's Primary School, Killyleagh; The Armstrong Primary School, Armagh; Movilla High School, Newtownards; Newry High School; St Mark's High School, Warrenpoint.

Closing Date

6 July 2026

Past Consultations

Consultation Name	Closing Date Sort ascending	Summary
Proposed Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools	14 May 2024	The Education Authority is seeking views on the Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools. Chapel Road Primary School; Clandeboye Primary School; Movilla High School; Old Warren Primary School; Scoil Na Fuiseoige; St Catherine's Primary School, Strabane; Blackwater Integrated College; and Mid Down Integrated College.
Public Consultation on EA’s Education Welfare Transformation Project Report	10 April 2023	The Education Authority is seeking views on the Education Welfare Transformation Project Report.
Public Consultation on EA’s Draft Interim Language Policies	27 February 2023	EA recognises that everyone is entitled to respect and courtesy, which extends to their language and the Irish & Ulster-Scots languages as an expression of the cultural wealth of Northern Ireland.
Equality Action Plan	16 August 2022	The Education Authority is seeking views on their draft Equality Action Plan and Disability Action Plan. The consultation will close on Tuesday 16 August 2022. Responses received after the closing date will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Public Consultation on the Draft Strategic Area Plan 2022-27	12 April 2022	The Education Authority (EA) is seeking your views on the draft Strategic Area Plan 2022-27: Planning for Sustainable Provision, which focuses on improving the quality of educational provision for all pupils through the provision of a network of viable and sustainable schools that are of the right type, the right size, located in the right place at the right time with a focus on raising standards.
Public Consultation on the Draft Special Education Strategic Area Plan 2022-27	12 April 2022	The Education Authority (EA) is seeking your views on the draft Special Education Strategic Area Plan 2022-27: Planning for Special Education Provision, which focuses on meeting the needs of children and young people with a Statement of Special Educational Need through a consistent model across all areas of Northern Ireland that would see all special schools provide 3-19 provision in the same school and increasing the number of specialist provisions in mainstream primary and post primary schools.
Public Consultation Review of EA Equality Scheme	14 January 2022	The Education Authority has reviewed our Equality Scheme. We propose to amend our Equality Scheme to achieve the following outcomes: The format of the scheme has been amended, to make it more user friendly and more accessible. We have strengthened our commitments around consultation and engagement, to place the voice of children and young people, and our stakeholders, at the centre of our decision making. We have made the process around when we use our ‘screening’ tools clearer and ensured that equality assessments add real value to our decision making.
Public Consultation on the Draft Special Schools Area Planning Framework	12 April 2021	The Education Authority (EA) is seeking your views on the Draft Special Schools Area Planning Framework which advocates a consistent model across all areas of Northern Ireland that would see all special schools provide 3-19 provision in the same school.
Public Consultation on the Draft Framework for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools and Draft Framework for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools - Pilot	12 April 2021	The Education Authority (EA) is seeking your views on the Draft Framework for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools, which focuses on increasing the number of specialist provisions in mainstream primary and post primary schools. This framework also contains a proposal to pilot a new process to significantly speed up the establishment of specialist provision in mainstream schools.
Public Consultation on the Education Authority draft ''Guidelines for Elective Home Education''	21 August 2019	The Education Authority (EA) is launching a 12 week public consultation on its draft ''Guidelines for Elective Home Education''. The consultation will open on Wednesday 29th May 2019 and close at 12 noon on Wednesday 21st August 2019. Please click on the link below: ‘EHE Guidelines Consultation’ to respond to this consultation.