Special Education Teacher (SET) Model – Post Primary Schools
SET Model – Post Primary
What is the SET Model – Post Primary?
Special education teaching (SET) provides additional support to young people who have special educational needs.
The Special Education Teaching allocation is an additional recourse, which is ringfenced for the sole purpose of providing additional support to young people 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 a young person’s strengths and needs, and monitors responses to interventions.
The Continuum of Support recognises that special educational needs occur along a continuum, ranging from mild to more significant, and from transient to enduring. . It recognises that young people require different levels of support depending on their identified educational needs, and that needs may change over time.
On this page we link to relevant information for school leaders to assist them with the SET model and continuum of support.
Set Model – Post Primary
Circulars
View the Department of Education and Youth circulars relating to the SET Model – Post Primary
Circular 0064/2024 – This outlines how special education teacher resources are organised and allocated and used (deployed).
Circular 0005/2025 – The special education teacher (SET) allocation for 2025/26 school year.
SET Model – Post Primary
Guidelines for Post Primary Schools
The Guidelines for Post Primary Schools Supporting Young People 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:
– Principles Underpinning the Special Education Teaching Model
– The Organisation of Special Education Provision: Planning the Deployment of the Special Education Teaching Model
– Special Education Provision: Roles and Responsibilities
– How to identify and respond to needs across the continuum of support
– Supporting Transitions
SET Model – Post Primary
Resources for School Leaders & Teachers
Resources for School Leaders and Teachers – Indicators of Effective Practice for Post Primary Schools
The indicators document provides practical guidance to help schools to improve how they support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes.
It outlines key principles of inclusive education and the process around the continuum of support.
You can use the indicators as part of the School Self Evaluation (SSE) process.
They are a guide for all staff including:
– School leaders,
– The special education teaching team
– The student support team
Section 3 provides examples of student support files and support plans. These illustrate how you can use the problem-solving process to identify strengths, interests, and needs of young people at different points of the continuum of support.
SET Model – Post Primary
Special Education Teaching Support – A Guide for Young People
This guide contains information on educational supports available to young people in school.
SET Model – Post Primary
Information for Parents/Guardians
Special Education Teaching Support in Primary and Post-Primary Schools – A quick reference guide for Parents/Guardians.