UPDATE: New SNA Model from Department of Education

Following our attendance today at a consultation with the Department of Education on the new SNA model, here is an update of our understanding of the new model:

• There are now 17,000 SNAs allocated across all schools (mainstream and special education schools) with  10,122 allocated to mainstream schools (63% of total SNAs)
• The new model only affects mainstream schools
• SNA function itself will not change
• Pilots are running currently in 75 schools this year, they have the new SNA model plus a broader range of supports e.g. OT, speech and language and behavioural therapy
• The intention is that this level of supports will eventually be rolled out everywhere, in the next few years
• How the “front loaded” SNA model will work:
  • Diagnosis itself is not the best indicator of need, therefore it will not be required for a child to be allocated an SNA, and allocation is at the discretion of school principal
  • Sometimes a child will not need the same level of support throughout their time in school, but currently, if they are assigned an SNA, that stays with them for their school life
  • The school will have the autonomy to identify the child’s needs and the flexibility to use the SNA support as needed
  • A diagnosis will still be taken on board and will help influence the decision, should one be available and parent’s input will be invaluable for schools to be able to make an educated decision
  • Allocation of SNAs to schools by the Department is based on the school profile (i.e. size, no. of pupils with complex learning needs, current school educational needs and to a lesser extent, social context)
  • There will be no loss of SNA allocation for any school
  • 500+ schools should receive an increase in allocation of SNAs
  • SNAs will now have more certainty around their tenure – the department will operate a 2-3 year cycle. In the old system, if a child leaves school, the SNA was lost to the school as well. Now the school can keep the SNA and reallocate to another child.
  • There will be a new additional training plan introduced for SNAs and for schools as a whole and this will roll out in the next few years
  • The new model will have an appeals process i.e. if a child is declined an SNA, parents may appeal through a formal process
  • A comprehensive set of Guidelines will be issued to all schools to help them to know how to allocate SNAs
  • Information on this new system will also be provided to parents
  • Despite the initial allocation of SNAs to a school, there is an allowance for exceptional circumstances, should a child’s needs change or should a new pupil join a school and be in need of SNA support. Additional SNAs will be provided as required in these exceptional cases.
• Next steps: Dept will consider all feedback from this session, continue to develop the plan on that basis and issue a comprehensive circular in April
• Inspectors will be monitoring schools to ensure that the system is working and that schools are using their resources correctly
• Evaluation will be key in order to proceed in an evidence based way to ensure that this new model is working
• The draft document of Guidelines will be emailed to the working group (of which ADHD Ireland are part) and we are welcome to make a submission on our feedback. We welcome your feedback to include in this submission, please email us on [email protected]

For any further information please reference the Department of Education website.