Welcome to our Special Educational Needs (SEN) hub. At our school, we believe that every child is unique, and we are committed to providing an inclusive environment where everyone can flourish, regardless of their starting point.

In line with the SEND Northern Ireland Framework, we aim to identify and support pupils’ individual needs early, ensuring that barriers to learning are removed. Whether a child requires a little extra help with literacy, social communication support, or a more tailored individual education plan, our dedicated staff work closely with parents and external professionals to provide the best possible care.

What You’ll Find in This Section:

• Our SEN Policy: How we identify and assess needs within the classroom.

• The Graduated Approach: A look at how we provide targeted interventions.

• Support for Parents: Useful links and resources to help you support your child at home.

• Our SENCo: Information on how to get in touch with our Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

The Graduated Response Framework provides guidance to schools and educational settings on how to identify and support children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).  A parents guide to the Graduated Response Framework can be accessed below:

Teaching Assistants work together with class teachers to support the delivery of learning across the curriculum. Teaching assistants…

• Deliver individual and small group learning.
• Assist teachers in the day-to-day maintenance and running of the classroom environment.
• Help to develop and support positive attitudes and good learning behaviour.
• Provide direct support for children who find it difficult to learn.
• Assist with lesson preparation and administrative tasks.
• Are fully trained to deliver the "Reading Partnership" and "Maths Catch-up" programmes.

External Agencies

We strongly support and value a multi-agency working approach, welcoming and encouraging the active involvement of parents and carers. Advice, information and direct assistance from a range of statutory and non-statutory bodies ensures effective inclusion for ALL pupils at St. Joseph’s Primary School.

The new SEN Plan of Arrangements website provides information on Support Services, Statutory Assessment and SEN contact details. 

• Autism
• Behaviour Support - Primary and Post Primary 
• Down Syndrome 
• Education Psychology 
• Exceptional Teaching 
• Language and Communication 
• Literacy 
• Medical Needs
• Moderate Learning Difficulties 
• SEN Early Years
• Severe Learning Difficulties
• Statutory Assessment
• Vision Impairment and Deafness

Additional information can be obtained through the link below: