SEND Transformation Programme

The Department of Education (DE) and Education Authority (EA) are committed to meeting the needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND) by ensuring the right support from the right people, at the right time and in the right place. We know this is currently not the case for many children with SEND in Northern Ireland. 

We have consistently heard from stakeholders about the range of challenges across the SEN system, extending from difficulties accessing services through to the lack of advice and support available to both parents/carers and schools. 

The Minster for Education brought forward a SEN Reform Agenda and five-year delivery plan, in February 2025 which provides an ambitious programme for how we will reshape and transform provision for children and young people with SEN. EA’s SEND Transformation directly feeds into this wider reform work.