Guidelines aim to help special needs children adjust to school

Parents of children with special needs have been urged to contact schools well in advance of the new school year to ensure they have a chance to adapt buildings, apply for additional supports or seek additional training for teachers.

The advice forms part of new guidelines issued by the National Council for Special Education aimed at helping young people successfully manage the transition into school.

While most children can find the start of school or moving into secondary school challenging, these milestones are even bigger for children with special needs, say parents.

Teresa Griffin, chief executive of the National Council for Special Education, said its guidelines were developed in response to requests from parents who want information and advice around these transition periods.

“This can be an anxious time for both children with special educational needs and their families,” Ms Griffin said.

“We are publishing these guidelines early in the year because this is the time when parents of children with special educational needs most need this support as they plan for the school year ahead.”

The number of children with special needs who are supported in the education system has increased significantly over recent years.

Latest figures show there are more than 11,000 special needs assistant (SNA) posts in the education system.

While most students with special educational needs already make successful transitions between education levels, Ms Griffin said some schools may need to undertake work or train staff.

These changes take time, she said, so preparation and planning was essential for successful transitions and needs to happen well in advance.

Early planning

The guidelines also underline the importance of early planning and timely sharing of information between parents and schools .

Transitions in the document include changes in the education system between all stages and levels including starting school; the move from primary to post-primary school; moving between mainstream and special school settings and preparation for life after school.

Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan called on parents and schools to carry out as much preparation and planning as possible to ensure students have the best chance of adapting.

“These guidelines emphasise the importance of early planning and timely sharing of information between parents and schools or settings and between schools and other settings,” she said.

Separately, many special needs assistants for children in schools are being required to carry out extra roles in areas such as administration, teaching and therapeutic intervention, a report has found.

A report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education says the role of an SNA is frequently misinterpreted and increasingly involves additional responsibilities.

The report recommends that the duties of SNAs need to be directly and regularly communicated to parents, teachers, principals and school staff.

It is one of 13 proposals aimed at improving the provision of support for children with additional needs while attending primary, secondary and special schools

The guidelines are available at: www.ncse.ie