Special Needs Education Legislation: Policy and Guidance

Development of Special Education in the Republic of Ireland (Overview) (pdf) Development of Special Education in Northern Ireland (Overview) (pdf) Northern Ireland The 1996 Education Act (NI) The Code of Practice 1998 (NI) Promoting and Sustaining Good Behaviour in Schools(NI) SeNDO Legislation (2005) (Special Educational Needs Disability Bill) Republic of Ireland The 1998 Education Act …
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Prosopanosia (Face Blindness)

This difficulty is when a person has a serious problem (more than the average person) in recognising faces and recalling names. This can be a problem for people with no other disabilities/difficulties or it can accompany other problems such as Tourette’s Syndrome. SENDO Within this legislation it is necessary to make ‘reasonable accomodation’. Some ways …
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The Education Act 1998 (RoI)

SEN is a term used to mean Special Educational Needs.  The criteria lists 11 categories used to determine SEN. These are: Physical Disability, hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment, Emotional Disturbance/Behavioural Problems, Mild General Learning Disability, Borderline Mild General Learning Disability, Moderate General Learning Disability, Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Specific Learning Disability, Children with needs arising from an …
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The Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill (RoI)

This bill published 16th July 2003 aims to give detailed provision in law so that the educational needs of persons with disabilities can be met. The legislation is intended to ensure that these children will be able ‘to leave school with the skills necessary to live independent and fulfilled lives.’ The main aims of the …
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What is an educational plan (RoI) ?

In the Republic of Ireland individual education plans are not yet statutory but are likely to become so in the next few weeks with the passage through government of the Disabilities Bill. Many schools, however, have designed and have been using their own education plans for some time. IEP Guidance Click to see one example …
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What is an educational plan (NI)?

Any child who has been assessed as being at Stage 2 of the Code of Practice requires an  Education Plan (EP) to be devised by the class teacher and the SENCO.  In Northern Ireland the same plan may be used by a group of children. IEP Guidance IEP Sample Template (from a UK school) *Click …
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Learning support guidelines

These guidelines published in 2000 are an attempt to ensure that suitable early intervention procedures are in place to enable all children achieve appropriate levels of literacy and numeracy on leaving primary school.  The guidelines are intended to  help schools  plan and  consider whether they are provided the best approach for children with learning difficulties.  …
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Draft guidelines for teachers of students with general learning difficulties

This is a set of 3 books which give extensive information, advice and guidance to teachers teaching pupils who have a range of special educational needs.  Book1 is designed for teachers of pupils with severe and profound disabilities who are most likely to be in special schools.  Book 2 is for teachers of students with …
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SEND Leglislation 2003

The SEND legislation was intended to come into force following the SENDA Bill in the rest of the UK, which improved the rights of people with disabilities and Special Educational Needs. However, due to the suspension of the N.I. Assembly, the bill will not now become law this year. When the legislation is passed, it …
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Three Step Model

The three step model has been developed by the NEPS to help determine when a child might be considered to have special educational needs and therefore to have extra educational resources available to him.  There are three stages which each child will go through. Step 1 A teacher or parent may express concern about a …
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