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Minister Madigan announces new national recruitment campaign for special educational needs
Minister Madigan announces new national recruitment campaign for special educational needs
The Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Josepha Madigan TD, today announced details of a new recruitment campaign for special educational needs organisers (SENOs) as part of the ongoing expansion of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which will see an additional 160 staff recruited in frontline, professional and administrative roles.
Minister Madigan said: “I welcome this national recruitment campaign for SENOs, which will see a significant increase in the number of front facing staff in the NCSE available to support children with special educational needs, their families and schools in a meaningful way. This will build vital capacity within the NCSE that will see SENOs in each county deliver a highly responsive support service to children, parents and schools by working in close collaboration with stakeholders and supporting professionals, in a localised and community-based delivery model.
“The role of the SENO is so important in meeting the needs of children with special educational needs. I want to thank our SENOs for the enormous work they have been doing, especially over the last few years, which has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of special school and special class places. This expansion of SENOs will ensure a strong NCSE presence in our schools to support children to achieve their full potential.”
John Kearney, Chief Executive Officer of the NCSE said:
“The NCSE has undertaken a review of its capacity in recognition of the exceptional growth in the special education area and the desire to enhance the educational participation, learning experience and outcomes for students with special educational needs. This additional recruitment is a key component for a well-resourced NCSE to guide and support parents and children on their educational journey by delivering services to students and schools in line with our strategic priorities and which reflect our fundamental values of community, inclusion, and excellence.”
The funding provided for under Budget 2023 will see an increase of over 50% in staffing levels in the NCSE. This will provide for an additional 160 staff in front line, administrative and leadership roles. Since the Budget 2023 announcement, the NCSE has undertaken a significant process of engagement with both internal and external stakeholders in the context of the organisational design process. The SENO role was reviewed as part of this process, during which time ongoing recruitment of SENOs continued to fill existing vacancies while this important review was underway.