To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of the provision of classroom assistants in mainstream post-primary schools for pupils who have a disability that were supported by a classroom assistant at primary level.

As outlined in the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs, Education and Library Boards (ELBs) are required to review all statements of special educational needs (SEN) at least annually and these reviews should be seen as part of a process of continuous assessment. A child’s transfer from primary to post-primary education is carefully considered during the last year in the child’s current school and the annual review of the child’s SEN, which if necessary should be brought forward to allow sufficient time, will review the provision being made including, if appropriate, provision of a classroom assistant.

The review process enables an ELB to consider the individual needs of a child and how they may change in a post-primary setting. If it is concluded that a child continues to need the support of a classroom assistant the statement will be subsequently amended and the provision put in place in the new school setting.