Education

National Council for Special Education

The council was set up to improve the delivery of education services to children with special educational needs. It does this through its network of special education needs organisers (SENOs), of whom each is responsible for schools within their area. All applications for resources for children with disabilities are made by the school to the SENO. Resources include special needs assistant hours, resource teaching hours, school transport for children with disabilities with special educational needs and other resources such as assistive technology.

For more information contact: National Council for Special Education, 1-2 Mill Street, Trim, Co. Meath or visit their website at www.ncse.ie

National Educational Psychology Service (NEPS)

Each Psychologist from NEPS works with children of primary and secondary school age concerning learning, behaviour, social and emotional development. The services provided pertain to casework with individual children, consultation and support for teachers and parents, project work in schools and promotion of mental health in schools.

For more information contact: National Educational Psychology Services, Frederick Court, 24-27 North Frederick Street, Dublin 1.

Pre-School Education

Children of pre-school age are entitled to certain health services which relate to education. The HSE provides psychology services and speech and language services for pre-school children with disabilities who are assessed as requiring these services. Assessments are usually requested by doctors or parents and are carried out either by the HSE’s own therapists or by arrangement with a voluntary organisation, like Enable Ireland. When children reach primary school age, the responsibility for psychology services is transferred to NEPS.

General School Supports

Children may get support from: learning support teachers, who give extra teaching to children who may have difficulty with the curriculum; resource teachers, who provide individual support to pupils with low incidence special needs such as hearing or visual impairment or autism spectrum disorder; and special needs assistants, who provide non-teaching support such as help with using the bathroom or help for children with behavioural difficulties.

Supports for Primary School Children

Children who have speech and language disorders, autism spectrum or Asperger Syndrome, or a hearing impairment can attend specific classes within mainstream primary schools. These include classes where the pupil/teacher ratio is reduced, as well as other supports.

There is a Home Tuition Programme available to parents to help them fund home education where their child is chronically ill or awaiting a suitable educational placement.

The July Education Programme facilitates extended special needs education for the month of July. Funding also covered transport and escort services for children. For schools not participating in this programme, home tuition is offered as an alternative for suitable pupils.

The Visiting Teacher Service provides for additional teaching and support services to parents and schools of pupils with hearing difficulties or visual impairments.

Finally there is a special school Transport Service which includes an escort service for children with disabilities.

You can inquire about any of the above supports at your child’s school and obtain further information from the National Council for Special Education website: www.ncse.ie

Supports for Secondary School Children

As well as the general school support available for children with special education needs, funding for technological needs of individual students is available from the National Council for Special Education through the local special education needs organiser at your child’s school.

In addition, Equipment Grants can be applied for by the school to make it more accessible for a pupil with a disability, for example by building a ramp or accessible toilet. Further information can be obtained from the Building Unit of the Department of Education and Science.

Youthreach

Youthreach is a joint initiative between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, for young people aged between 15 and 20 years, who left school early without any recognised qualifications. The programme provides opportunity to achieve certified qualifications and prepare for adult life. The scheme is delivered through Youthreach centres and FÁS Community Training Centres.

Visit: www.youthreach.ie to find out more.