Northern Ireland: Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Northern Ireland-specific guidance on school support, statutory assessment, Statements of SEN, annual reviews, placements and challenge routes.
Do not use England EHCP, Wales IDP or Scotland CSP guidance for a child educated in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland SEN & Statement Parent Toolkit
Editable worksheets for SEN evidence, statutory assessment, statement reviews, provision tracking and follow-up.
Open the free Northern Ireland toolkitNew to Northern Ireland SEN terminology?
Use the glossary for plain-English explanations of SEN, Stage 1–3, SENCO/LSC, IEP, PLP, statutory assessment, Statement of SEN, DARS, SENDIST and more.
Open the Northern Ireland SEN glossaryImportant 2026 context
The newer draft SEN Regulations and draft Code of Practice are not yet operational. Current EA guidance says schools continue to have regard to the 1998 Code and 2005 Supplement, while recording SEN provision across the newer three-stage structure. Statutory-assessment requests moved to EA Connect in January 2026.
Read the current EA Code of Practice guidanceStart with your problem
What are Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Northern Ireland?
School supportNorthern Ireland SEN stages explained: Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3
DiagnosisCan a child get SEN support in Northern Ireland before a diagnosis?
Statutory assessmentHow to request a statutory assessment for SEN in Northern Ireland
TimelineSEN statutory assessment timeline in Northern Ireland explained
StatementWhat is a Statement of Special Educational Needs in Northern Ireland?
Annual reviewAnnual review of a Statement of SEN in Northern Ireland: what parents should know
School placementChoosing or changing school when a child has a Statement of SEN in Northern Ireland
DisputesSEN disagreements in Northern Ireland: DARS, complaints and SENDIST
TransitionsTransition planning with a Statement of SEN in Northern Ireland
Assessment refusalStatutory assessment refused in Northern Ireland: what parents can do
Statement refusalEA assessed but will not make a Statement of SEN: next steps
StatementStatement of SEN wording in Northern Ireland: parent checklist
Annual ReviewAnnual Review of a Statement in Northern Ireland: parent checklist
Provision problemStatement provision not being delivered in Northern Ireland: what to record
PlacementChanging school with a Statement of SEN in Northern Ireland
TransportSEN school transport in Northern Ireland: when special transport may be considered
AppealSENDIST appeals in Northern Ireland: a practical parent overview
MovingMoving home with a Statement of SEN in Northern Ireland
EvidenceEvidence for a statutory assessment request in Northern Ireland
AttendanceSEN and school absence in Northern Ireland
What families should document and ask when SEN and difficulty attending school overlap in Northern Ireland.
DisciplineSEN, suspension and expulsion in Northern Ireland
A parent checklist for SEN, suspension and expulsion decisions in Northern Ireland.
TransportSEN transport in Northern Ireland: practical parent guide
How to check transport support and evidence where SEN or disability affects a pupil’s journey to school.
Provision problemStatement provision not delivered in Northern Ireland: what next?
Practical steps for recording missing provision and raising concerns when a statement is not being implemented.
TransitionSEN post-16 transition planning in Northern Ireland
Questions to ask when planning the move from school into further education, training or adult services.
2026 policy and guidance update
The proposed SEN Regulations have been delayed, with implementation expected in September 2027; current processes still apply. Read the dated official-source summary for Northern Ireland.
Reviewed 23 October 2026. Policy announcements, implementation plans and existing guidance are labelled separately.