IPPN

18 January 2024 – Assessment of Need; Parental Complaints Procedure

Published: 18 January 2024

This week’s e-scéal includes information on the following:

Planning Prompts
Assessment of Need
Revised Parental Complaints Procedure (PCP)
NCSE Policy advice paper on special schools and special classes - Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society
SNA Workforce Planning Focus Groups for Principals and Deputy Principals
Leadership+ Issue 130
Updates
Call-out for schools - NCCA’s upcoming consultation
Significant dates in January and February

Planning Prompts
Decisions will need to be made shortly regarding Career Breaks, Job Sharing and other forms of leave. The decisions made by the BoM regarding leave may not always be what a staff member wanted and can necessitate difficult conversations. Bear in mind that healthy relationships include difficult conversations. Discuss with the Chairperson how best to communicate the Board’s decision.

The Leadership Support team is available to offer support in preparation for having a difficult conversation.

[Read More]

Assessment of Need
The High Court finding on 12 January 2024 regarding Assessment of Need Reports and compliance with the Disability Act 2005 is noted. It is back for consideration by the courts on 25 January. The DE/NCSE are currently preparing a response. Advice on NCSE/DE guidance will be provided as it becomes available.

High Court Decision: https://www.courts.ie/viewer/pdf/9a6bdd3b-8bfd-4392-b07d-42919c52abeb/2024_IEHC_11.pdf/pdf#view=fitH

Professional Guidance - Revised Parental Complaints Procedure (PCP)
IPPN recommends that school leaders:

bring the Revised PCP to the attention of all stakeholders of the school community through the website, the Parents’ Council and BoM
encourage all stakeholders to discuss it and to be prepared to use it in a reasonable and constructive manner, adhering to the procedures and stages
ask the BoM to adopt the Revised PCP as school policy.

[Read More]

NCSE Policy advice paper on special schools and special classes - Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society
The long-awaited policy advice paper on Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society was published this week by the NCSE. IPPN is reviewing and analysing the policy advice, and the supporting papers including the Literature Review and International Practice Review in detail. IPPN’s feedback and initial response to this policy advice will be included in next week’s E-scéal.

An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society Policy Advice Paper on Special Schools and Classes

https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Inclusive-Education-for-an-Inclusive-Society.pdf

https://ncse.ie/policy-advice

SNA Workforce Planning Focus Groups for Principals and Deputy Principals
There are currently still places available at locations and times as follows:

Limerick Education Support Centre 29 January 2024 1.30pm
Carrick on Shannon Education Centre 18 January 2024 1.30pm
Navan Education Support Centre 22 January 2024 1.30pm
Waterford Education Support Centre 26 January 2024 1.30pm
Athlone Education Support Centre 2 February 2024 1.30pm

Participants can register to attend through this link - https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d1729-principals-and-teachers-support-policy-development-on-the-work-of-snas/

Queries can be emailed to snaworkforcedevelopment@education.gov.ie.

Leadership+ Issue 130
When I first became a teacher, I was aware of only a child or two who were regarded as ‘school refusers’. In recent times, the number of children who are out of school due to stress and/or anxiety is significant, with some schools reporting multiple pupils in multiple classes displaying school-refusing behaviours (CYPSC, 2020).

In response to these school attendance issues, Wexford CYPSC has developed a resource pack offering specific supports to those who experience ‘Emotionally Based School Avoidance’ (EBSA).
Click here to view/download the article.

Updates
To be shared with your Board, staff and parent body as appropriate

Circular 0005/2024 - Teacher Fee Refund Scheme 2023 - https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/280599/2ef2cd20-9457-4549-800c-813336ff91d3.pdf#page=null

Call-out for schools - NCCA’s upcoming consultation
As part of the redevelopment of the Primary School Curriculum, NCCA will consult on draft primary curriculum specifications in Arts Education; Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) in the Primary Language Curriculum; Social and Environmental Education (SEE); Science, Technology and Engineering (STE); and Wellbeing, from March - June 2024. NCCA is inviting primary and special schools to participate in the school networks component of this consultation.

Further information and expressions of interest can be found HERE

Significant dates in January and February