About the SEND Local Impact Teams

SEND Local IMPACT Teams work closely with families and schools or settings to help schools or settings understand and meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs. By working together and sharing information, we can make sure the right support is put in place at the right time. 

Local IMPACT Teams support children and young people at the early stages of the SEND Code of Practice, before a formal Statement of Special Educational Needs may be needed. This means help can be provided early, when it can make the biggest difference. 

Each Local IMPACT Team brings together a range of specialist skills to support children in a joined‑up way. Teams include professionals with experience in: 

• Cognition and Learning, 
• Speech, Language and Communication, 
• Autism, and 
• Social, Emotional, Behavioural and Wellbeing Needs. 

Support is always tailored to the individual child. Local IMPACT Teams work with schools or settings to provide the right help, whatever a child’s needs may be, and as early as possible in their education. This early, personalised support helps children and young people feel more confident in their learning and supports positive outcomes as they grow and develop. 

SEND Local IMPACT Teams are based across Northern Ireland, with teams for school‑age children and early years children, working in line with local Health and Social Care Trust areas. This helps make sure support is available close to where children live and learn. 

School‑age Local IMPACT Teams support children and young people aged 4 to 18, and work with their primary and post‑primary schools to help meet their needs. 

Early Years Local IMPACT Teams support younger children in the pre‑school years, including those attending nursery schools, nursery units, pre‑schools and daycare settings. They work closely with early years settings to help children get the right support as early as possible.