Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2024
61. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to reports of primary schools still being asked to carry out educational needs assessments for children, despite teachers not having the necessary psychology qualifications; the number of schools her Department or the NCSE asked to carry out such assessments in the 2023-2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27449/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assessment of Need (AON) is a statutory process under the Disability Act (2005) whereby the Health Service Executive (HSE) reports on the health and education needs of a child/young person. The provision of Guidelines for the assessment of needs process is a matter for the HSE.
With regards to the education aspect, if within the AON process the HSE Assessment Officer forms the opinion there may be a need for an education service to be provided to an applicant, they will request the NCSE to nominate persons with the appropriate expertise to assist in carrying out the assessment of education needs. The NCSE is obliged to nominate a person with appropriate expertise to assist in the carrying out of the assessment of education needs. Where the child is enrolled in a school, the Education of Persons with Special Education Needs Act (EPSEN) 2004 identifies the principal as one of the person(s) the NCSE can nominate. In turn, the principal may nominate a teacher in the school to assist in carrying out an assessment of education needs. One of the functions of a school, as detailed in the Education Act (1998), is to ensure that the education needs of all children and young people, including those with a disability or other special educational needs, are identified and provided for.
The educational component of the AON process refers to assessment of education needs. Assessment in education is an everyday practice in schools which results in the identification of a child’s education need and the measures required to address these needs.
Schools provide for the inclusion and participation of all students and provide an education which is appropriate to a student’s abilities and needs. Identification of education needs, therefore, is central to the way schools operate. This aligns with the obligations on schools arising from the Education Act 1998. Teachers use a range of assessment practices as part of the Continuum of Support framework. This enables the school to identify, address and review progress in meeting the academic, social and emotional needs of the pupil, as well as other education needs.
Schools have been provided with a range of resources to ensure that the education needs of all students, including those with a disability or other special education needs, are identified and supported. In announcing the introduction of the Special Education Teacher (SET) allocation model, the Department of Education issued Guidelines for Primary and Post-Primary schools (2017) to assist them in identifying and providing for the special education and learning needs of students. The Guidelines allow for schools to utilise a portion of their SET allocation to coordinate activities relating to special education. In that regard, schools have been advised that they can use SET coordination time to complete AON forms.
Furthermore, a recent court judgment found that teachers have the appropriate expertise and are suitably qualified to be nominated by the NCSE to assist in carrying out an assessment of education needs.
Therefore, schools may be nominated by the NCSE to complete an assessment of education needs and requested to complete the Report of Education Needs in order to assist the HSE in their Assessment of Need process.
In addition the NCSE and Department have put in place comprehensive supports to assist schools in completing the educational component of the HSE’s AON process. These include:
Detailed guidance
• An FAQ document
• Email support at aon@ncse.ie
• Phone support or further access to online and in person specialist support
NCSE have specialist trained advisors to aid in the completion of the education assessment. The education assessment report is returned to the HSE where the HSE Assessment Officer will compile and finalise the AON report.
The following table outlines referrals to schools by the NCSE during the 23/24 academic year:
|
Setting |
2023/2024 |
|
Primary Schools |
2,439 |
|
Special Schools |
106 |
|
Post Primary Schools |
536 |
|
Total |
3,081 |
