Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2014
231. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills where the guidelines for schools on supporting students with behavioural and emotional and social difficulties is available; if copies have been sent to all schools; and if he is satisfied that information on these guidelines has filtered into all areas. [20879/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has developed a range of documentation relating to the support of students with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. In particular this would include "Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties – A Continuum of Support" (for Primary Schools), "A Continuum of Support for Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines for Teachers" and "Well-Being in Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention". These publications have been produced in the past three years, have been distributed to schools and the underlying process and principles of each are the subject of ongoing support by the NEPS psychologist assigned to individual schools. Copies of each are available within the NEPS section of my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Educational-Psychologist-NEPS-/NEPS-Model-of-Service.html .I would draw the Deputy's attention also the information leaflets " Guidelines for supporting students with Behavioural and Emotional and Social Difficulties" for primary and post-primary schools on my Department's website (http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Educational-Psychologist-NEPS-/ ) which detail the relevant publications from NEPS in this regard and reference other relevant support documentation available to schools in this area from the NCSE and TUSLA (formerly NEWB). The leaflets have also been distributed to schools and a wide range of both health and education support services.
I am satisfied that the information on these guidelines has filtered through to all areas.
