The NCSE deadline for round 1 Appeals is 29 September 2016.

Schools have continued to submit applications for resource teaching hours for students with low incidence special educational needs, where the necessary supporting documentation was not available for the 29^th February deadline.

The NCSE expects that decisions in relation to the remaining applications, including applications under the Interim Scheme for allocation of Resource Hours to schools for students with Down syndrome, received by 20 September 2016 will issue to schools in mid-October.

Schools are reminded that they must return the Student Attendance Confirmation Form to their SENO as soon as possible but no later than 29 September 2016.

The National Council for Special Education is pleased to announce the publication of Guidelines for Setting up and Organising Special Classes. The Guidelines set out clearly how schools can set up and organise special classes, as part of a continuum of educational provision, for students with special educational needs.

Click here to download the Guidelines
Click here to download the Press Release

Alongside the guidelines, the National Council for Special Education is also pleased to announce the publication of the second phase report of its commissioned research study into special classes.

Click here to download the report.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, T.D., has announced appointments to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for 2016 – 2018.

The Council of the NCSE will be composed of the following members:

· Mr Eamon Stack – Chairperson (Nominee of the Minister for Education and Skills)
· Mr Seán Ó’Murchú (Nominee of Minister for Education and Skills)
· Professor Sheelagh Drudy (Nominee of the Minister for Education and Skills)
· Ms Anne Tansey (Nominee of the Minister for Education and Skills)
· Mr Joe Hayes (Nominee of the Minister for Education and Skills)
· Mr Don Mahon (Nominee of the Minister for Education and Skills)
· Ms Eithne Fitzgerald (Nominee of the National Disability Authority)
· Mr Tom O’Sullivan (Nominee of the National Disability Authority)
· Ms Helen Guinan (Nominee of the National Association of Board of Managements for Special Education (NABMSE))
· Ms Marion Meany (Nominee of the Minister for Health)
· Dr Finian O’Shea (Nominee of the Church of Ireland College of Education)
· Ms Aine Lynch (Nominee of the National Primary Parents Association)
· Ms Antoinette Nic Gearailt (Nominee of the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools)

Mr Eamon Stack, Mr Seán Ó’Murchú, Professor Sheelagh Drudy, Ms. Eithne Fitzgerald, Mr Tom O’Sullivan and Ms Helen Guinan have been re-appointed to the Council, all having served one term on the previous Council.

The National Council for Special Education is pleased to announce the publication of its policy advice on supporting students with autism spectrum disorder in schools.

Click here to download the English version of the policy advice
Click here to download the Irish version of the policy advice

There is a separate guide for parents/guardians and students on this policy advice.

Click here to view the English version of this guide
Click here to view the Irish version of this guide

In addition, the National Council for Special Education is publishing two research studies commissioned to support the development of the policy advice:

– Educating Persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorder – A Systematic Literature Review (Click here to download)
– An Evaluation of Education Provision for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Ireland (Click here to download)

The NCSE has published Guidelines for Special Schools for the 2016/17 allocations process.
Click here for Guidelines and application forms.
The closing date for receipt of Notification of Enrolments in Special Schools is 27th April 2016.

The NCSE has published new Transitional Guidelines for Parents of Students with Special Educational Needs and for Schools.

Click here for Guidelines on Starting School
Click here for Guidelines on Moving from Primary to Post-Primary School
Click here for Guidelines on Moving between Mainstream and Special Settings
Click here for Guidelines on Planning for Life after School
Click here for Transitional Guidelines for Schools

Click here for Press Release

The NCSE has published Guidelines and application forms for Primary and Post Primary schools for the 2016/2017 Allocations process. The deadline date for receipt of Low Incidence Teaching Hours support, access to SNA support, and applications for Resource Teaching Hours support for students with Down syndrome is 29th February.

While the date for receipt of Confirmation of Leavers forms is 18th January SENOs will accept Confirmation of Leavers forms up to 25th January 2016.

Guidelines and application forms for Special Schools will be available shortly.