EA says SEN classroom support changes will be gradual as parents and schools raise concerns

The Education Authority has said planned changes to classroom support for pupils with Special Educational Needs will be introduced gradually, with the first phase focused on schools already ready to move towards a new model.

The reassurance comes after more than 3,000 responses were received to a public consultation on the future of SEN classroom support in Northern Ireland.

The proposed reforms centre on the Enhanced Support Model, which aims to move towards more flexible, needs-led support for children and young people with a statement of SEN.

Changes to begin with ‘early adopter’ schools

The EA said the first year of implementation, during 2026-27, will prioritise “Early Adopter” schools.

These include schools that have already begun developing different models of classroom support alongside one-to-one classroom assistant provision, as well as schools ready and willing to begin changing in the next year.

The authority said this approach is intended to ensure reform is “child-centred, needs-led and manageable for schools”.

Concerns raised over pace, funding and support

Tomas Adell, EA’s Chief Transformation Officer, said the consultation had shown “very strong support for change”, but acknowledged significant concerns.

He said:

“However, we also acknowledge that there are concerns on a range of issues including the pace of change, funding, access to support, pressures on schools and staff, and certainty and recognition for classroom assistants.

“Any reform plans have to take account of the wider landscape – the fact that an underfunded education system has struggled for years to meet rising demand for SEN services.

“Many parents are understandably suspicious about any changes, having fought hard to secure provision for their children.”

More than 3,000 responses received

The classroom support public consultation closed on 22 May 2026.

More than 3,000 responses were received, with almost 1,000 parents, classroom assistants, teachers, SENCOs, principals and education leaders also taking part in engagement events.

Responses showed strong recognition that reform is urgent, but also that change must be clear, carefully managed and focused on improving the lived experience of children, families, staff and schools.

According to the EA, 2,942 submissions were made through the online Citizen Space platform.

More than 78% of respondents supported giving schools greater freedom to adapt support to individual pupils, while more than 71% agreed that reform of the current SEN classroom support model is a matter of urgency.

Specialist support seen as vital

The EA said it fully acknowledges the continuing mismatch between demand for SEN support services and available capacity.

It said too many children and schools are waiting for support, warning that this threatens confidence in reforms.

The authority said effective implementation of the Enhanced Support Model will require timely and appropriate access to specialist advice and support, including from Educational Psychology and Local IMPACT Teams.

It also said the expansion and further development of specialist support services must be an integral part of classroom support reform.

Further plan due in autumn

The EA said there will be continued engagement during the transition to the Enhanced Support Model.

Children and young people, parents, schools, staff and other stakeholders across Northern Ireland will have further opportunities to help shape the way forward.

The authority said both positive and negative learning from the early stages will be shared across the education system.

A full public consultation response document and detailed implementation plan for the Enhanced Support Model is expected to be published in the autumn.