NCSE Frontline Services Survey
- Published: 27 April 2023
The NCSE is undertaking an evaluation of how frontline services are delivered. These services include the work of SENOs in allocating SNAs, the work of Visiting Teachers, CPD and advice/support NCSE provides. NCSE wants to understand more fully the experiences of schools who have been supported by them. IFF Research is carrying out a survey on behalf of the NCSE, in partnership with the University of Derby and Mary Immaculate College (Limerick).
NCSE are requesting school leaders to provide feedback in an online survey. They have also requested that the survey be shared with school staff. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The deadline to submit feedback is Tuesday, 9 May 2023.
Click here to begin the survey
All responses will be treated in the strictest of confidence and go directly to the research team and not to the NCSE. NCSE will receive a report on the overall findings, which will not identify individual responses.
Barnardos – Empower Kids Project
- Published: 27 April 2023
Barnardos is working towards increasing the visibility of children and young people living with domestic violence and abuse and supporting the improvement of service responses.
The children and young people involved in a child and youth participation project called ‘Empower Kids’, which is hosted by Barnardos, gives voice to this lived experience. This expertise gives guidance to how a better response to childhood domestic violence and abuse may be achieved.
These resources are designed to support professionals, including teachers, to respond effectively to childhood domestic violence and abuse. The wish of the 50+ children and young people to date who have been involved in ‘Empower Kids’ is to get their message out to help as many children as possible.
Click here for Childhood Domestic Violence & Abuse, Practitioners Resources
Click here for more information on the ‘Empower Kids’ Project
Contact: Aine Costello (aine.costello@barnardos.ie), National Coordinator for childhood domestic violence and abuse project if you have any queries.
Grant Updates - April 2023
- Published: 27 April 2023
- Free Book Scheme: The Department announced on Wednesday, 26 April that the grant payment for the free book scheme would issue to schools by Friday, 28 April. Some practical suggestions on the operation and administration of the grant will be included in a future E-scéal. Click here to view DE guidance and parent communication on the operation of the Free Book Scheme
- Ancillary Services Grant: Two thirds of the grant will issue shortly to schools. The DE is finalising arrangements for grant funded school administrators who accepted the new terms and conditions. These school administrators will be placed on the Department’s payroll from September 2023
- Minor Works Grant: The DE is finalising arrangements to issue the 2023/2024 Minor Works Grant to schools. It is the Department’s intention to have the grant payment issued by Friday 28 April 2023
Minor Works Grant
- Published: 20 April 2023
During the Easter Break (11 April 2023), the DE announced €29 million in minor works funding for primary and special schools which is used for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. The grant may be used for the improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds and IT related equipment. The DE has advised that they intend to issue the grant payment earlier to schools for the 2023/2024 school year. In addition, the Planning and Building unit are currently preparing an interactive guidance document on the maintenance on school buildings for Boards of Management.
SEN Summer Programme 2023 (Mainstream) – WEBINAR
- Published: 20 April 2023
Monday 24 April at 7.00pm an online webinar will be hosted for mainstream schools considering organising an SEN Summer Programme. During the 1hr 15 minute webinar, the Inspectorate will provide an overview of the SEN Summer Programme Guidance document and will facilitate FAQS.
The Department has extended the closing date for schools to register for the 2023 Summer Programme on the online portal to Friday, 5 May 2023.
Click here for more information and to register for this event
