Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018
138. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he plans to support children who are attending primary and secondary schools and are identified as homeless; the supports offered to these children; the way in which these are logged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7964/18]
View answer139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an individual learning plan strategy to support children who are attending primary and secondary schools and identifying as homeless has been implemented; the supports offered to children; the way in which these are logged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7965/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.
Government policy on homelessness recognises the provision of long term secure housing as the key solution to ending homelessness. The Government has sought to respond to homeslessness in a variety of ways.
Homelessness is of concern to everyone. Any issue which impacts on teaching and learning outcomes in schools is a matter of concern to my Department.
A range of resources are available from my Department to support schools in dealing with identified additional educational needs, including needs which may arise for children who are experiencing homelessness.
Statistics on school attendance are collected by Tusla in accordance with Section 21 of the Education Welfare Act, 2000. The impact of homelessness on school attendance participation and retention is dealt with by Tusla’s Educational Welfare Service. The Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness includes specific actions for delivery by Tusla including:
- Home School Community Liaison and School Completion staff will assist children and families experiencing homelessness to maintain regular school attendance. Children in homeless accommodation will be prioritised within the School Completion Programme for services such as breakfast and homework clubs.
- Additional resources will be put in place to strengthen inter-agency arrangements with Tusla including family Support, Social Work and Education Welfare. Tusla will appoint specific staff to assist in accessing requisite family support and child welfare services and managing any difficulties that arise for children in relation to school participation;
- A joined-up approach will be promoted between education, health and Tusla to meet the needs of homeless families, by using the existing Children and Young People’s Services Committees
- Access to free public transport will be provided for school journeys and outings away from the emergency accommodation.
The staff of schools are very sensitive to the needs of children who are experiencing disruption in their lives and make every effort to support the additional needs they experience. Where they are aware of homelessness and where it is impacting on school attendance and participation they engage closely with the Educational Welfare Service of Tusla and with the support services of my own Department and in particular those of the National Educational Psychological Service which I have strengthened in the past year.
Identification of Need and Early Intervention and Prevention Strategies are considered key components to supporting children who experience homelessness. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) works with schools through the DES Continuum of Support framework. NEPS psychologists can provide advice and guidance to Principals and teachers in relation to individual students needs and in the development of whole school approaches to support inclusion, participation and integration.
Students facing homelessness may have the same emotional needs and learning needs as other students, but the immediacy of those needs is heightened. NEPS supports the role of the school in identifying individual needs and at a systems level in the development of a culture and environment which supports connectedness and provides structure and stability, key elements which underpin learning and opportunity.
The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) Wellbeing Team provides a comprehensive programme of supports for teachers in the delivery of the SPHE curriculum where the issue of homelessness is dealt with under the "Myself and the Wider World” strand.
DEIS is the main policy initiative of my Department to tackle educational disadvantage. DEIS Plan 2017 sets out my Department’s vision for future intervention in this critical area of education policy. Schools may use DEIS supports to meet the additional identified needs that may arise for pupils experiencing homelessness.
