To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) his assessment of the impact that delays in statutory assessments and school placements have had on children with special educational needs and their families; and (ii) any immediate measures being taken to reduce waiting times.

My department, along with the Education Authority (EA), recognises the impact that delays in school placements have had on children with special educational needs (SEN) and their families. The lack of capacity across special schools and available local Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools (SPiMS) has impacted on the time taken to complete the statements for some children as a place must be secured to finalise the statement. I recognise that this may impact children and their families being able to prepare for a new school placement; transition arrangements for children in getting to know their new teacher and environment and access to other supports that may be provided for within the statement.

In order to mitigate such impacts, bespoke contingency arrangements are put in place to ensure that there is no or minimal impact for our children and young people. Each solution is based on the individual circumstances of the children within each school and may include one or more of the following: alternative classroom provision, home visits, stay and play sessions, dual days.

The Statutory Assessment and Review Service (SARS) has recruited additional SEN Link Officers to support reduction of caseloads and help in ensuring that communication with the families affected is prioritised. During the summer of 2024, Family Support Link Officers were recruited to support families waiting on placements to be secured.

I recently published the SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan. A key year one action, already underway, is the streamlining of the statutory assessment process and the EA is leading the way on this aspect of reform through its digitisation of the process.