Written answers

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Departmental Policies

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

90. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans to progress the roll-out of the school inclusion model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57172/21]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the School Inclusion Model (SIM) is to build the capacity of participating schools so they can support the inclusion of all children particularly those with special educational needs (SEN).

My Department recognises that the current range of supports in schools i.e. teaching and care does not on their own meet the needs of some children with special educational needs particularly children with complex needs in the areas of speech and language, communication, sensory impairments, self-regulation and positive behaviour skills.

Its purpose is to help students achieve better outcomes. Independent evaluation is a central part of the project and the outcome will inform future policy on extending the SIM.

The Model comprises a number of key elements in respect of building school capacity including the following:

- provision of increased professional development and training for teachers and SNAs,

- the allocation of increased psychological and behavioural supports

- the development of an in-school therapeutic model of support for schools

The Model also includes a change in the way SNA supports are allocated for mainstream classes.

The initial pilot of the Model took place in 75 schools and 75 early learning centres located in the HSE CH07 area in the 2018/19 school year and this was positively evaluated. The Model was then extended to facilitate further development and evaluation but this was disrupted by Covid-19 in March 2020 and the Pilot was then paused. At this time, the HSE withdrew the speech and language and occupational therapists and redeployed them to Covid related work.

Progress has been made on aspects of the Model but much remains to be done in terms of in-school implementation and evaluation.

The Pilot has now recommenced in CHO7 and planning for an expansion to two news areas is underway.

My officials are consulting with relevant Departments including Taoiseach, Health and DCYA and it will be brought to Government shortly.

This memorandum will outline proposals for the further development of Model and its evaluation. The outcome of this evaluation will inform the roll out of the Model to other schools in the coming years.

The SIM model provides a framework of teaching, care, training and therapeutic supports to facilitate the greater inclusion of children with special educational needs in education.

I am therefore committed to its development.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.