SENAC (Special Education Needs Advice Centre)

Recent changes to how schools provide for SEN

NB: This is an update, please read this section before you read the rest of this pack Several changes on how schools identify and provide for Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) have been implemented and will be fully operative in the new school term. Graduated Response Framework: At the end of the summer term (June 2025) the Education Authority (EA) issued guidance to schools on a ‘Graduated Response Framework’. The framework outlines the process for identifying a child’s needs, implementing appropriate interventions, and reviewing the support provided through whole school provision (reasonable adjustments/common strategies and approaches etc). It also includes special educational needs provision and more individualised, intensive support for a child at Stages 1, 2 and 3, with all interventions documented on the child’s Personal Learning Plan (PLP). The EA have stressed that communication between home and school and listening to the views of parents and children is central to this process. For further information on this graduated response, visit: send.eani.org.uk/grf SEND Local Impact Teams: From September 2025 the way schools access specialist advice and support from EA Pupil Support Services will change. These services will no longer operate as separate teams; instead, they have been integrated into a network of multi-specialist SEND Local Impact Teams (LITs). LITs will provide support for schools, children, and young people who have been referred for specialist support through the Referral for Involvement School’s portal. These teams, which are spread across the five Health Trust areas will provide a 12-week package of tailored support. Additional updates will be added to this Information Pack as changes in practice and legislation arise.