Reduction in number of SEN children in the North still waiting for school place in September

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

Fewer than five children with special educational needs (SEN) are still waiting for a school place in September, the Stormont Education Authority (EA) has said.

Despite progress in creating additional places, the EA warned that “significant change” is required in the education system to meet demand in future years.

The start of recent school years has seen a struggle to accommodate SEN children in Northern Ireland amid a “last-minute scramble” for places.

The demand for SEN places has increased by more than 50% in the last five years.

Key requirements are sustained investment in expanding special school capacity, and significant growth in specialist SEN classes in mainstream schools

Less than a third of mainstream schools in the North have specialist SEN provision classes.

The EA, which manages school services in the region,  has introduced a series of initiatives to increase the number of places.

In a statement, the EA said it had made “further progress” on school places for SEN children ahead of the new school term starting in September.

The statement said: “This update relates to children changing from one educational setting or phase to another – e.g. starting school for the first time or moving to a new school.

“As of today, the number of required additional places still to be confirmed is less than five.

“Plans are in place to confirm these remaining places.”

The number of additional places required has been reduced from fewer than 15 in July.

The EA said there had been “intensive work” with schools and families.

It added: “EA continues to stress that significant change is needed to properly meet need for SEN places at an earlier stage in the annual cycle.

“Key requirements are sustained investment in expanding special school capacity, and significant growth in specialist SEN classes in mainstream schools.

“As of September 2026, some 30 per cent of mainstream schools will have specialist SEN provision classes.

“Alongside this, much of the current special school estate is close to, or has reached, capacity.”

Education Minister Paul Givan and EA chief executive Richard Pengelly have previously written to schools requesting their support with new SEN provision due to the increased demand.

Earlier in the summer, the EA said some mainstream schools had “stonewalled approaches” to create more places for SEN children in areas of high need.

At the start of the term in September 2025, six SEN children did not have a school place in Northern Ireland while some others had to wait to attend full time until additional accommodation was created.