9 th May 2013

Education Context 1Progression towards ESA 2 SEN Review 3 Area Planning 4 Early Years Consultation 5Priorities for Youth

1ESA - Current Position Education Committee - completed consideration of Education Bill. Amendments may be required before Bill is finalised. When agreement is reached, Royal Assent is required. Potential three month ‘lead in’ period between assent and establishment of ESA.

ESA - Recent Developments Establishment of a Programme Management Board in DE. Engagement between Permanent Secretary and Chairs of ELBs. Establishment of Transition Board - Chief Executives, Directors Designate and some ESAIT staff.

Work Stream Structures Change Director (ESAIT) - established work stream framework to progress issues in specific services across 5 ESA Directorates. Work streams have been set up to establish service delivery and provision issues within Children and Young People’s Services.

Purpose of Work Streams Establish business critical ‘day 1’ issues that would have a serious impact on the new organisation. Identify procedural/process differences between boards that can be adjusted before day 1. Identify issues that are important, but may require adjustment/amendment during years 1 and 2 of the new organisation.

Special Education Enhanced commonality of administration in relation to statutory assessment documentation. Commonality in relation to special needs assessment panels. Ratification of Statements of Special Educational Needs. Commencement of work in relation to common resourcing.

2SEN Review - Pre-implementation Work Early years capacity building pilots - extension to June Support for capacity building support for special education in mainstream schools - resource files. Literacy/numeracy support - Stranmillis/St Mary’s. Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET).

3Area Planning ELB Special Schools’ Area Plans - submitted to DE. Focus on individual board’s assessment of need. Enhanced need to consider special school planning on a regional basis. Recognition that changing profile of children and young people’s needs should be reflected in the review of provision.

Area Planning Minister announced the establishment of a working group on special schools in February The working group will soon be outlining specific information that will be required from each board. Where necessary, more specific information will be sought from special schools to support this process.

4Early Years Consultation Issues that relate to access. Quality of support for children. Training for staff in early years provisions to support children with special educational needs. Understanding child development. Connecting childhood development, education and health inequalities

5Priorities for Youth – Consultation Focus on a universal programmes. Targetted support for specific populations. Enhanced use of youth qualified staff in schools. Recognising the link between education, individuals, community and outcomes.

Way Forward Develop coherence between policy strategy. Connect to local need, while cognisant of regional framework. Diversity of skills base supporting children and young people. Amendments to service delivery, with consideration of evidence base.