Special Education Teacher (SET) Model – Primary Schools
SET Model – Primary
What is the SET Model – Primary?
The special education teaching allocation model is an additional resource, which is ringfenced for the sole purpose of providing additional support to children whom the school has identified as having special educational needs.
The Continuum of Support framework is a step-by-step guide in the identification of children’s strengths and needs, and monitors response to intervention. This framework recognises that special educational needs occur along a continuum, ranging from mild to more significant, and from transient to enduring. It recognises that children require different levels of support depending on their identified educational needs, and that needs may change over time.
Set Model – Primary
Circulars
View the Department of Education and Youth circulars relating to the SET Model – Primary
SET Model – Primary
Circular 0064/2024
The operation/application and deployment of Special Education Teacher resources.
SET Model – Primary
Circular 0004/2025
The Special Education Teacher (SET) allocation for 2025/26 school year.
SET Model – Primary
Guidelines for Primary Schools
The Guidelines for Primary Schools, Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Classes, provides guidance to schools, on the organisation and process for the deployment of their special education teaching resources.
In addition, the Guidelines provide information to schools on:
– the principles underpinning the special education teaching model.
– the roles and responsibilities of school management and staff.
– the problem-solving process for identification of need, planning, intervention and review of response to intervention.
– Guidance on developing Student Support Plans and supporting transitions.
– Appendices with templates and further resources to assist schools in implementing best practices
SET Model – Primary
Supporting Documentation – for the deployment of special education teacher resources
The Indicators of Effective Practice are a guide for school leaders, teachers and whole school staff to review and reflect on the school’s provision for children with special educational needs.
Section 3 of the indicators provides examples of student support files and support plans, which illustrate how the problem-solving process can be used to identify strengths, interests and needs of children at varying levels of the continuum of support.
SET Model – Primary
Information for Children
SET Model – Primary
Special Education Teaching Support – A Guide for Children
This guide contains child friendly information on educational supports available to them in school.
SET Model – Primary
Special Education Teaching Support – Leaflet for Children
This leaflet contains child friendly information on educational supports available to them in school.
SET Model – Primary
Information for Parents/Guardians
Special Education Teaching Support in Primary and Post-Primary Schools – A quick reference guide for Parents/Guardians.