Useful Resources and Links - Literacy
Information and resources for school staff and parents in supporting children and young people.
Literacy Inclusion Toolkit (LIT)
The Literacy Inclusion Toolkit (LIT) provides a toolkit of strategies and procedures which may help to tackle the literacy difficulties experienced by the significant minority of pupils in every classroom, whilst accommodating the complex profile of the individual pupil.
It is based on well-founded research and follows the transition of the pupil from Foundation Stage and through each Key Stage and into further education and/or work. The LIT emphasises the importance of implementing accessibility tools and ‘reasonable adjustments’, at the appropriate time, so that no pupil is left behind in education.
Supporting Literacy at Home – A Toolkit for Parents and Carers
Supporting Literacy at Home – A Toolkit for Parents and Carers provides practical guidance to help families support children who experience, or may be at risk of experiencing, difficulties with literacy. It is grounded in well‑established research and follows the child’s journey from the early years through each stage of schooling, and onwards into further education or work. The toolkit emphasises the importance of using helpful strategies and accessibility tools at the right time so that every child has the chance to succeed.
While designed specifically for families in Northern Ireland, the toolkit works alongside the school‑focused Literacy Inclusion Toolkit, ensuring that both home and school can work together to meet each child’s literacy needs.
Supporting Literacy at Home – A Toolkit for Parents and Carers
Early Assessment for Reading and Literacy Intervention (EARLI)
The Early Assessment for Reading and Literacy Intervention (EARLI) is a resource designed to support literacy development in Northern Ireland schools, aligned with the 2025 Northern Ireland Curriculum. It aims to assist early identification and intervention for literacy difficulties, promoting inclusive literacy education.
- Comprehensive literacy support: Early Assessment for Reading and Literacy Intervention (EARLI) integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills development, reflecting their interdependent nature to prevent or address literacy difficulties early in school settings.
- EARLI features and usage: Early Assessment for Reading and Literacy Intervention (EARLI) helps establish accurate literacy baselines, identify specific literacy needs, develop targeted intervention plans, and supports whole school provision mapping. It is free and usable by various school staff after brief training.
- Training and support: EA Local IMPACT Team Literacy Specialists provide training workshops and webinars to facilitate effective use of the EARLI resource, and ongoing feedback from schools is encouraged to enhance the resource. Support is also available via SEND Central by phoning 028 9031 7777 and selecting option 2, Monday to Friday from 9am to 4:30pm. For schools to book training, please go to: EARLI Introduction and Training programme.
EARLI: Early Assessment for Reading and Literacy Intervention
Resources
The Literacy Specialists have provided a range of resources to include information leaflets, suggested activities/resources and training videos to help parents and schools to support literacy development.
Topics include:
Reading
How to Join Libraries NI
Libby App: Download and Connect to your Account
Writing
Spelling
Assistive Technology
C2K My School Login
C2K Media Library
C2K NewsDesk
Guidance for parents/carers supporting a child with literacy difficulties at home
Exam Access Arrangements
Transition to Post-Primary and Sixth Form
Literacy Service Newsletters
The newsletters have been developed to support the pupils referred to our service, their parents and schools. In every issue you will find examples of good practice, helpful tips and strategies and most importantly the voice of the pupil represented in pictures, writing and personal stories etc.
Issue 5: Alphabet and Dictionary Work
Useful Links
DE Online Resources
Every School a Good School (ESAGS), A Strategy for Raising Achievement in Literacy and Numeracy (2009) was published by DE. From it came related policy documents, guidance, training and initiatives in supporting schools in the development of their policy and practice.
DENI SEN Resource File includes core sections on supporting the needs of pupils experiencing literacy difficulties.
The Supporting Learning: Provides information about free online resources. The materials within this section are a support for parents and schools if pupils are learning at home.
Read and Write software: Read & Write is a literacy support toolbar, using features including text-to-speech, picture dictionaries and word prediction to aid reading and writing. Schools in Northern Ireland have access to the Read & Write through the C2K network and is accessible across any device, whether in class or learning at home.
Regional Integrated Support Education Team (RISE NI): Website for parents and carers of children in mainstream nursery and primary school (up to P4). Includes information leaflet, suggested activities/resources and parent training videos to promote development of speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, and social and emotional development. RISE NI also provide information for teachers.
Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership: A Guide to Help Parents on Their Journey Through Disability/Additional Needs: This resource, created by parents for parents, addresses the whole life journey for parents of children with disability and additional needs. It is a live document which will be updated as new resources are developed.