The Assessment of Need (AON) process is provided for under the Disability Act 2005 and is a process under the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE).
All children/young people born on or after 1 June 2002, who are suspected of having a disability, are eligible to apply to the HSE for an AON under the Disability Act (2005). If the HSE Assessment Officer forms the opinion that a child or young person requires an assessment of education needs as part of the HSE Assessment of Need Process, he/she will contact the NCSE.
This requires the NCSE to nominate an appropriate person who will complete a Report of Education Needs. Engagement with this part of the process will be through the NCSE.
On foot of recent High Court proceedings, the assessment of education needs process, as part of the Health Service Executive (HSE) AON process, has changed.
The NCSE has worked with the Department of Education (DE) and the HSE on reaching agreement on the revised process.
The revised process has been subject to consultation with management bodies.
As a result, the NCSE Report of Education Needs and the Guidance Note for Schools have been updated.
Department of Education Circular 0025/2024, in respect of the revised process was published on Monday 15 April 2024.
If a school requires additional support in the completion of the NCSE Report of Education Needs for the purpose of AON, the NCSE AON Team are available to support schools as required through this process:
- Dedicated email support from the NCSE – aon@ncse.ie
- Support from the NCSE AON team on our dedicated phone line – 01 603 3456
- Advisor support on request via phone, and if required virtual support and/or in school support
- An FAQ document which will be updated regularly
