Education Authority rolls out new SEN support drive as demand for specialist places grows

The Education Authority has launched a new leadership support programme aimed at strengthening specialist special educational needs (SEN) provision in mainstream schools across Northern Ireland, as pressure continues to grow on education services supporting children with additional needs.

The new initiative comes after more than 6,000 additional SEN places have been created since 2020, reflecting what EA described as rapidly changing educational needs among pupils and increasing demand for specialist support closer to home.

The programme is designed to help schools establish and sustain specialist provision classes — dedicated classes within mainstream schools for children with special educational needs.

Experienced principals brought in to guide schools

Under the new peer-to-peer leadership model, five school principals with direct experience in developing specialist provision will work part-time as Principal Advisors to schools currently establishing SEN provision in their local communities.

The advisors will provide practical support across key operational areas including:

• planning and implementation

• governance arrangements

• staffing structures

• curriculum delivery

• operational systems

The Education Authority said the approach is intended to help schools build sustainable and effective specialist provision while strengthening leadership capacity within the education system.

Dale Hanna, EA Chief Operations Officer, said the organisation remained committed to ensuring schools receive the support required to successfully deliver specialist provision.

He said:

“EA is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that every school developing Specialist Provision has the support it needs to succeed.

“The Principal Advisors Programme is a vital part of our enhanced support package, which connects school leaders with experienced peers.

“Our aim is to develop confident school leadership teams with sustainable SEN provision, helping them to effectively respond to the changing educational needs of our learners.”

Wider support package for schools

The Principal Advisors Programme forms part of a broader Enhanced Support Package already being delivered to schools establishing specialist SEN provision.

That wider support includes:

• SENCO release support

• funding for teaching staff

• classroom support staff funding

• staff training

• enhancement of school buildings and facilities

• annual pupil payments

• administration payments

EA said the measures are intended to ensure schools have the resources necessary to deliver high-quality SEN provision for children and young people.

The organisation also confirmed the programme will run from May 2026 until November 2026.

Blueprint planned for future SEN provision

A major outcome of the programme will be the development of a new Specialist Provision Blueprint, which EA said will provide practical, evidence-based guidance for both schools and the Education Authority.

The blueprint is intended to support more consistent decision-making for schools at varying stages of readiness when developing specialist SEN provision.

Schools participating in the programme will receive regular visits, online meetings, and collaborative engagement with SEN staff and education officers throughout the process.

The latest initiative comes amid continuing public and political focus on SEN capacity across Northern Ireland, with many families facing ongoing concerns around school placements, support services, assessments, and growing demand pressures within the education system.

By expanding specialist provision within mainstream settings, EA hopes more children and young people will be able to access support within their own local communities while schools receive stronger operational backing to sustain long-term SEN services.

For more information:

Establishing specialist provision in mainstream schools