Joan Collins
Question:280. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education if a behaviour therapist will be provided from its commencement for a school (details supplied). [35418/21]
View answerThursday, 1 July 2021
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Special schools generally cater for children with the most complex needs. Accordingly, these schools have enhanced staffing levels with greatly reduced pupil:teacher and SNA staffing allocations. The provision of training and support for these schools is prioritised including access to training and post graduate programmes tailored to meeting the needs of children with complex needs. On an ongoing basis, these schools have access to the NCSE advisory support service which advises on children with the most complex needs including behavioural needs.
Special schools in a start-up situation are targeted for specific support. Care is taken in the planning of these schools and the provision of specialist training and support. A bespoke package of CPD and professional learning for the staff of this new school is in place and is currently being updated with inputs from my Department, NEPS and the relevant agencies including the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). This School will also receive support from the National Educational Psychological Service.
The Deputy may also be aware of the School Inclusion Model (SIM) which has been developed in collaboration with the Departments of Health; Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; the NCSE and the HSE.
The NCSE is currently piloting this new model in CHO 7. As part of this new model NCSE teams have been enhanced to include Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Behaviour Practitioners to support schools build capacity to include children with special educational needs.
The school referred to by the Deputy is located in CHO7 and will be supported by the enhanced NCSE regional team.