The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) seeks applications from suitably qualified teachers to work as a Visiting Teacher (VT) for children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing or as a VT for children who are Blind / Visually impaired. The appointments are on a fixed-term (temporary) basis, for one year.

The posts may be filled by secondment. Please note the interview timeframes at the end of this notice.

Each contract will provide for a three-month probationary period.

Currently, it is expected that there will be;

• One vacancy in Meath area for a VT for Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing which will have an immediate start date.
• Two vacancies in the Dublin / Wicklow area for a VT for Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing from September 2018.
• One vacancy in the Cork City / County area for a VT for Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing from September 2018.
• One vacancy in the Mayo /Roscommon area for a VT for Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing from October 2018.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm on Thursday 21 JUNE 2018. Candidates should email completed application forms to hr@ncse.ie.

It is anticipated that interviews for VT for Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing will be held on 26th June 2018 at a central location in Dublin.

It is anticipated that interviews for VT for Children who are Blind/Visually Impaired will be held in August 2018 at a central location in Dublin.

Information on the role of the VT for children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing is available HERE while information regarding the role of the VT for children who are Blind / Visually impaired is available HERE .

Click HERE to download the application form for the VT for children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing.

Click HERE to download the application form for the VT for children who Blind / Visually impaired.

The National Council for Special Education is pleased to announce the publication of the report of its Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme.

Click here to download the Comprehensive Review report

There is a separate guide to the Comprehensive Review for parents/guardians and students.

Click here to download the booklet.

There is also a one-page infographic outlining the Comprehensive Review process, findings and recommendations.

Click here to download the infographic.

Click here to download the press release.

A Progress Report was completed as part of the Comprehensive Review.

Click here to download the Progress Report.

The Council of the NCSE was supported in its review of the Scheme by a Working Group, led by NCSE Chairperson Eamon Stack, which developed a proposal for a new model of support.

Click here to download the report of the Working Group.

A review of Nursing Provision for children with complex medical conditions, including those children attending Special Schools was also undertaken. This review was completed by a Cross Sectoral Team Working Group comprising members from the Departments of Education and Skills, Health, Children and Youth Affairs, NCSE and HSE, as well as an expert clinician.

Click here to download the Report of the Cross Sectoral Team Working Group.

In addition, the National Council for Special Education is publishing three research studies undertaken to support the Comprehensive Review:

• International Administrative Review of the Use of Non-Teaching Adult Support in Schools for Students with Additional Care Needs (Click here to download)
• Literature Review relating to the Role of the Special Needs Assistant (Click here to download)
• A qualitative study of how well young people with disabilities are prepared for life after school (Click here to download the report and here to download the appendices)

The NCSE has published Special Needs Assistant allocations to schools for the 2018/19 school year.

Click here to view SNA allocations to Primary Schools
Click here to view SNA allocations to Post Primary Schools
Click here to view SNA and Teaching Allocations to Special Schools
Click here to view County totals
Click here to view the list of Special Classes in Mainstream Schools

Individual letters will issue to schools shortly. Please note that the date for receipt of any appeals in regard to SNA allocations is Friday, 28th September 2018

The NCSE today welcomed the Government initiative to provide speech and language, and occupational therapy support in 75 schools and 75 pre-school settings for the 2018/2019 school year. See full statement here.

NCSE has published three information pamphlets on the main post-school education and training options for people with disabilities.   These pamphlets give students and their families an overview of the extensive range of post-school options and supports available and how to get the relevant details and guidance to inform individual choice.

The information pamphlets cover

• Further Education and Training
• Higher Education
• Rehabilitative Training and Adult Day Services

Please note that the deadline date for receipt of applications for access to SNA support has been extended until close of business on Wednesday 7th March 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions. Please contact your local SENO if you have any further queries.

The NCSE has published Guidelines and Application Forms for Schools for the 2018/19 school year. Applications for access to SNA support for students should be submitted using  NCSE Form 1 or NCSE Form 1A, as appropriate.

The NCSE is contacting schools regarding the review of SNA Allocations in accordance with the provisions of DES Circular 0030/2014.The circular provides that students accessing SNA support require Personal Pupil Plans and are subject to a review of their care needs at the end of a three year period. Those schools with students accessing SNA support for three or more years will receive a letter advising them of the process. Please contact your local SENO if you wish to discuss. A copy of the letter is available here.

NCSE Guidelines 04/2017 sets out the procedures for schools in seeking a review of their Special Education Teacher allocation and the utilisation of their allocation, on the grounds that very exceptional circumstances have arisen in the school.

The criteria are set out in the above guidelines. Click here to view the guidelines.

Click here to download the Application Form for Primary Schools
Click here to download the Application Form for Post-Primary Schools