To ask the Minister of Education what long-term measures her Department is undertaking to increase the supply of special educational needs trained teaching staff, given the shortage currently impacting provision of teaching in special schools.

I am aware of the enormous challenges that are currently being felt within all schools but particularly the special school sector in relation to the availability of teaching and non-teaching staff. However, the Department is not responsible for the supply of special educational needs (SEN) trained teachers.

While the Department is responsible for the overall approval of Initial Teacher Education intakes and programmes, it is the Higher Education Institutions which deliver these programmes to ensure they are aligned with, and prepare future teachers for the delivery of, the Northern Ireland Curriculum.

In terms of the current staff shortages, the Department, in conjunction with its education support bodies, is actively considering a range of options for how best to further assist schools in responding to the issues they currently face.

Departmental officials continue to meet regularly and engage with the Special Schools Strategic Leadership Group (SSSLG) and wider special school sector, both to understand and bring forward actions to address the immediate issues. This has included facilitation of engagement with colleagues from the Department of Health and the Public Health Agency in relation to public health guidance.

The Education Authority (EA) has established an Emergency Resourcing team to provide additional support to schools experiencing staffing difficulties due to Covid and non-Covid issues. This team has supported the establishment of a number of relief registers across a range of non-teaching roles and also provides additional support to schools who have been unable to source teaching cover via the Northern Ireland Substitute Teacher Register (NISTR). The EA Emergency Resourcing team continues to work closely with the SSSLG to provide support in response to the staffing challenges faced by special schools.

The FE colleges have been provided with information about the classroom assistant emergency register and asked to bring it to the attention of students who may be qualified/available for casual work, particularly those with an interest in working with pupils with complex needs.

The EA continues to work to find solutions in partnership with Trade Unions and schools in relation to the ongoing challenges that are being faced across the education system. The Department and EA are also actively considering how best to further support schools in responding to current issues, including exploring the practical implications of utilising the skills and experience of recently retired teachers.

It is extremely important that we maximise face to face teaching for pupils and I believe that the best place for children is at school, not only for the educational benefits that accrue but simply for the positive impact it has on their general mental health and well-being at this time.

Ensuring that all schools remain safe and open to provide teaching and learning for children and young people is therefore my key priority and I have asked officials to keep this situation under close review and to keep me regularly updated in relation to emerging challenges.

Michelle McIlveen MLA