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
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
The Special Education Teaching Allocation Appeals process referenced in NCSE 03/2017 has now concluded. The appeal decision letters will be issuing to all schools this week. Further information about the outcome of the appeals is provided here.
The NCSE has published Special Needs Assistant allocations to schools for the 2017/18 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 Post 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, 29 September 2017
Mr. Padraig McNamara, former CEO of the State Examinations Commission, has been appointed by the NCSE as Appeals Officer to examine appeals in regard to Special Education Teacher allocations for 2017/18.
It is envisaged that decisions will issue to schools shortly.
As of the 20th March 2017, the management of the Special Education Support Service, the National Behaviour Support Service and the Visiting Teacher Service for Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and for Children who are Blind/Visually Impaired has transferred to the National Council for Special Education. Contact details across all organisations will remain the same for this school year and existing services will continue to be provided as normal without disruption.
The NCSE is a statutory body established under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. Since our establishment, we have concentrated on developing an organisation which provides a timely and efficient service to schools in sanctioning teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) resources to support children with special educational needs.
We have also embarked on a wide-ranging programme of research on the provision of special education which will help us formulate policy advice to the Minister for Education and Skills.
The aim of our website is to provide some introductory information about the work of the Council. We hope the website becomes a useful resource for parents, teachers, health and education professionals and policy makers interested in our work. We would welcome your comments on our work.
We also provide links to other websites with information on Special Education which we hope you will also find helpful.
Should you wish to print any information from our website, please use the printer friendly link at the end of each page.
If you have any comments or queries relating to our website, please contact the NCSE Webmaster onwebmaster@ncse.ie. For other queries, please see our Contact Us page to select the appropriate section to contact.
