As outlined in my Department's circulars, special needs assistant, SNA, support may be approved for a pupil who has a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or other pupils.
The school referred to by the Deputy applied for an increase in SNA support from 23.3 hours per week to a full-time post to meet the needs of the pupil in question. The application, together with the professional reports, was examined by my Department, which recommended 12.5 hours per week SNA support for this pupil. A letter to this effect issued to the school on 25 November 2004. In the event of additional documentation being submitted to my Department, arrangements will be made to have the matter re-examined.
A review of SNA provision, which commenced recently, will apply to approximately 2,000 primary schools with existing SNA support. The review is concerned with the level and deployment of SNA posts in mainstream classes. The intention is to ensure both the level and deployment of such posts are such as to ensure the special care needs of pupils are being appropriately met. As part of the exercise, outstanding applications for SNA support for pupils who are attending mainstream classes will be processed.