Givan voices disappointment over delay to SEN Regulations

Date published: 26 June 2026

The Regulations, which are intended to strengthen support for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) have been subject to extended scrutiny by the Assembly’s Education Committee. As a result, implementation that was originally planned for 1 September 2026 is now expected to be delayed until September 2027.

Warning that the delay will directly affect children and young people with SEN by postponing critical improvements, Paul Givan said: 

“This delay is neither acceptable nor in the best interests of children and young people with special educational needs. It means that long-anticipated improvements that are designed to deliver real, practical support, will not be realised for yet another year.”

Key measures affected by the delay include reduced assessment timescales, new rights of appeal, dedicated time and training for Learning Support Co-ordinators and the introduction of Personal Learning Plans for all pupils on the SEN register.

Highlighting the implications for families seeking legal clarity and support the Minister continued: 

“The inability to introduce new appeal rights limits access to justice for families and delays the protections that both parents and young people have been waiting for.”

The SEN Regulations were submitted to the Education Committee on 10 February 2026 and have now been under scrutiny for over four months. Departmental officials have engaged extensively with the Committee over recent months providing evidence, responding to queries and offering detailed briefings. Multiple offers to host workshops for Committee members have also been made. 

The Minister continued: 

“While I fully respect the Committee’s role, I am concerned that the level and duration of scrutiny is now having a direct and detrimental impact on children and families. It is important that the Committee’s consideration is informed by a balanced range of perspectives, however a disproportionate reliance on the views of a limited number of stakeholders risks delaying progress unnecessarily.

“I remain firmly committed to progressing the SEN Regulations as a matter of urgency and ensuring that children, young people and their families receive the support they need without further delay. I would encourage the Committee to engage further and constructively with the Department so that these vital changes can move forward as quickly as possible.”

Further information is also included in a Written Ministerial Statement, available at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/written-ministerial-statement-special-education-needs-sen-regulations-northern-ireland