To ask the Minister of Education to outline the steps she is taking to ensure that pupils with special educational needs are able to attend their nearest school.

Each year children are identified as requiring either a new, or change of school placement as a result of the Statutory Assessment and Statementing process or by way of Annual Review of their existing Statement. These processes specify the type of school which would be appropriate to meet the needs of the child and are not part of the open enrolment process.

In October 2020, the Education Authority (EA) established a cross directorate, multi-disciplinary group to support the placement of pupils with a Statement of SEN in both special schools and specialist provisions in mainstream

This work included forecasting pupil needs, the type of SEN placements required, mapping pupils to their nearest schools, where appropriate, and establishing additional interim provision in either special school or specialist provision in mainstream and hiring additional staff where required.

Department officials have been working with the EA through a number of fora to support and monitor progress, and to ensure sufficient resources are in place to ensure that every child has a high quality placement appropriate to their individual needs. The Permanent Secretary monitor’s developments through a regular oversight group, and the issue is also a standing item at the EA Governance and Accountability Review (GAR) meetings.

The majority of parents will have already received their child’s amended statement with their placement for September 2021. Where placements have not yet been confirmed, the EA’s SEN Team will work directly with parents to update them on their individual consultation process.