Reports and publications

Guidance for parents, schools and other educational settings

• The Report of a survey of Special Educational Needs (SEN) in mainstream schools outlines effective Special Educational Needs (SEN) practice in mainstream schools. Both the report and accompanying videos provide a valuable capacity-building resource for school staff in terms of systems and strategies to ensure a high quality mainstream school provision for pupils with SEN.
• The Report of the Transitions Inter-Departmental Working Group sets out action points for government departments and agencys to act collaboratively to improve the transition process. Developed through a sub-group of the Special Educational Needs Inter-Departmental Group, comprised of representatives from both education and health sectors.
• The purpose of the Standards and Guidance for Promoting Collaborative Working to Support Children with Special Needs is to promote collaborative working arrangements, at a local and regional level, to ensure that the education and therapy needs of children and young people are met within the special school setting.
• A guide for parents and staff in mainstream schools who have a deaf child in their school (from primary to secondary) is available on the Department's website at Deaf friendly schools:- a guide for principals, staff & governors . Information on teaching strategies; inclusion; communication; deafness and technical support.
• A guide for schools / other educational settings to help teachers and lecturers to identify and provide additional help for those learners with Dyslexia, is available on the Department's website at Developing Dyslexia - Friendly Learning Environment.
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders - A Guide to Classroom Practice/Evaluating provision for ASD in schools is a guide for teachers to assist them in working with children and young people on the autistic spectrum.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - a practical guide for schools and a practical guide for parents and carers is a guide to provide school staff with information about ADHD and how children with the condition can be helped in school. It aims to define ADHD and describes its core features. It provides very useful management tips for both pre-school and school age children.