How to access the Moderate Learning Difficulties Service

If your child is suspected of having a Moderate Learning Difficulty, an Educational Psychologist (EP) from the Education Authority will carry out a Cognition and Learning assessment for Literacy and Numeracy. 

Support from our team usually occurs after a referral is made by the Educational Psychologist on behalf of you (as parents and carers) and your child’s school.

The Educational Psychologist’s referral will detail your child’s strengths, the impact of their Moderate Learning Difficulties and their educational needs. We will consult with your child’s school, as well as speaking to you, as parents or carers. From this we will produce a tailored support programme.

If your child has not yet reached primary 1 and has, or may have a Moderate Learning Difficulty, they may be supported by the Special Educational Needs Early Years Inclusion Service (SENEYIS).

If you think your child has a learning need, you can talk to a number of professionals for advice including medical or social care professionals, your child’s teacher or the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo).

We can support children and young people with or without a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

Without your child having a statement of Special Educational Needs you can’t currently refer your child to the Special Educational Needs Inclusion Service Moderate Learning Difficulty. The referral must be made via an EA Educational Psychologist (EP).

If you have a concern about your child’s learning, speak to school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator, their teacher or a healthcare professional such as a GP or social worker, who will then provide advice and guidance on the issue.

Pre-school Aged Children

If your child is under assessment by an Educational Psychologist and has clearly identified learning needs, they may be referred to the SEN Early Years Inclusion Service (SENEYIS). 

If your child is not being supported by SENEYIS and you believe your child may have moderate learning difficulties, you can talk to a number of professionals for advice including medical or social care professionals and teachers.

Primary and Post-Primary Aged Children

If your child or young person has Moderate Learning Difficulties and associated Special Educational Needs, they may be referred to this Service by the EA Educational Psychologist or if your child has a statement of Special Educational Need a referral can be made by your child’s school.

If your child or young person has not been referred to or is not being supported by our Service and you believe they may have Moderate Learning Difficulties, you can talk to a number of professionals for advice including medical or social care professionals, their teacher or the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) in your child’s school.

For more details on to how to access support from the Service see our Making a Referral and Timeline and Criteria information. 

The SEN Inclusion Service for Moderate Learning Difficulties is a team focussed on providing support to children and young people with Moderate Learning Difficulties and associated Special Educational Needs in mainstream primary and post-primary education.

Once a referral is received and if it meets the referral criteria, a member of the team will be allocated to your child.

Our team member will then complete an initial assessment gathering information from the child, parents or carers and their school. They may also need to observe your child, but you will be advised of this in advance.

Once this assessment is complete, we will develop a plan for the most appropriate form of support to help meet your child’s current needs. We will do this in collaboration with  parents and the school.

For many children and young people with SEN, their specific needs can be met within their school.

The support provided by our Service is based on the specific needs of each child or young person. If support is required, we can provide resources, training, advice and guidance for schools and parents and carers. Where appropriate we can also provide bespoke support for your child.

Support can be provided with or without a Statement of Special Educational Needs being in place.