To ask the Minister of Education to provide an update on the End to End Review of Special Educational Needs.

Mr Givan

The Department of Education and the Education Authority embarked on an end-to-end review of special educational needs in early 2023 to examine the entire special educational needs system from a policy perspective and ensure that delivery and outcomes are in line with objectives and policy intent. Phase 1 of the review, which involved scoping the review and establishing appropriate governance structures, is complete. Phase 2 has commenced and primarily focuses on stakeholder engagement to ensure that all decisions and solutions are underpinned by meaningful engagement. In addition to targeted engagement with individuals and organisations, a programme of engagement events is being developed for schools, parents and carers, children and young people and wider stakeholders so that they can share their knowledge and experience and be part of co-designing a more agile and improved special educational needs system. Following that engagement phase, an action plan will be developed for implementation. I expect the implementation plan to be ready for September 2024. The overall vision of the end-to-end review is to ensure that all children with special educational needs get the right support delivered by the right people at the right time and in the right place through a high-quality education that is cost-effective and improves outcomes.

Mr Givan

I thank the Member for raising that point. In October 2023, following what happened in the previous academic year, a strategic placement group was established in the Department. That group meets every week and has deputy permanent secretary-level engagement. The new post of director of special educational needs placements was created in January 2024. The group meets at the highest levels. It meets about the issue every week, because we recognise that a real challenge is coming in September. I cannot — I wish I could — give a guarantee that every child will have a placement by then. I do not believe that that will be the case, despite the urgency and priority that I place on this in my Department. I want to provide some reassurance to the House and to parents, and we will touch on this in the debate on the substantive motion on the issue in the House this afternoon. This is a priority for me, and I want to provide the support that is necessary. I have come into office at a time when there are real pressures and challenges in this area, but I am very much committed to doing all that I can to help.

Mr Kingston

When does the Minister think the new special educational needs framework will be fully implemented?

Mr Givan

Following public consultation on the draft new SEN regulations and code of practice in 2021, several changes have been made to both documents to take on board the views of those who responded. The new regulations are in the final stages of drafting and, once all the necessary approvals are in place, they will be presented to the Education Committee before being placed before the Assembly for consideration.

My officials are working closely with the Education Authority on a timetable for commencing each provision in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 and associated SEN regulations. The Act places additional duties on the EA and on boards of governors in schools, including the appointment of a learning support coordinator and for each child on the SEN register to have a personal learning plan. Agreed additional funding of £30 million per annum has been identified to support schools to implement the legislative changes, but, due to budget constraints, only £11 million was made available to schools for 2023-24. Unless the full amount is made available in future years, it will negatively impact on the outcomes of children with special educational needs.

Mr Speaker

We will now move to topical questions.