The class teacher(s) should be made aware of any children who are already on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) register when he/she begins to teach the class.  It is vital that the class teacher(s) understand(s) the importance of identifying and providing for these children. A class teacher is likely to have to carry out standardised …
Read More The role of the Class Teacher

The National Educational Psychology Service(NEPS) for schools was set up with the intention of providing a service to help schools assess and deliver appropriate education to children with special educational needs. From 2002 the NEPS Model of Service intends to provide a consultative and assessment role and also participate in support and development work within …
Read More The role of the Educational Psychologist (RoI)

Educational psychologists have undertaken higher level university study and are also experienced teachers. They work in all sectors of the education system including child development clinics for pre-school children, where many children with potential learning difficulties can be identified early. Each school has the services of a psychologist; this is organised in different ways depending …
Read More The role of the Educational Psychologist (NI)

Claire is a speech and language therapist.  She has recently taken up a newly created post to work in mainstream education.  She covers a wide geographical area and could not possibly treat all children on an individual basis.  Claire’s belief is that all children can benefit from language activities and that this practice should be …
Read More Working with a speech and language therapist

Margaret has working as a classroom assistant in the school for 20 years.  When she started, children with special needs were uncommon in the school and little was expected of them.  Now there are several children in the class and each child is expected to achieve his/her potential and to be independent wherever possible.  However, …
Read More Classroom assistant: promoting independence?