Statement of special educational needs (Northern Ireland)
The legal document in Northern Ireland that sets out a child's needs and the help they should have. It is current there, even though England and Wales no longer use statements.
Applies in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the Education Authority carries out a statutory assessment Statutory assessment (Northern Ireland) A close look at what help your child needs at school, done by the Education Authority in Northern Ireland. It can lead to a statement. Read the full definition of Statutory assessment (Northern Ireland) and may then write a statement. The statement sets out your child's needs and the help they should have, and it is reviewed every year.
You may read advice from England or Wales saying statements are an old system that was replaced. That is true in England and Wales, and it is not true in Northern Ireland, where the statement Statement of SEN in Northern Ireland The legal paper in Northern Ireland that sets out a child's help at school. England ended statements, but they still run in Northern Ireland. Read the full definition of Statement of SEN in Northern Ireland is the current legal document and the thing worth pursuing if school-level help is not enough.
If you disagree with the Education Authority's decisions about assessment or the statement, you can challenge them, and Northern Ireland has its own special educational needs SEND SEND is England's word for children who need extra help to learn. The rest of the UK uses other words, and other rules. Read the full definition of SEND tribunal.
Across the UK
- Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) : England replaced statements with EHC plans in 2014. A parent in England holding an unconverted old statement should ask their council about it.
- Individual Development Plan (IDP) : Wales replaced statements with Individual Development Plans under the ALN system.
- Coordinated Support Plan (CSP) : Scotland never used statements in this form; its statutory plan is the Co-ordinated Support Plan.
Related words
Where this comes from
- Special educational needs statements , nidirect (Northern Ireland Executive). Checked 2026-08-14.
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