School Leaders
School Leaders
Supporting School Leaders: Empowering Inclusive Education
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) supports school leaders to create inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive.
We assist principals and leadership teams to navigate the complex area of special educational needs through:
– Expert guidance
– Professional development opportunities
– Tailored advice
This can include guidance around:
– Planning for additional teaching supports
– Accessing resources
– Implementing inclusive practices
We are here to ensure, you, as a school leader have the knowledge and tools you need to lead your teams confidently and inclusively.
On this page, you can find information and links to some of the supports and networks you can benefit from.
School Leaders
Support Network
In the NCSE, we operate a nationwide network of:
– Special educational needs organisers (SENOs)
– Visiting teachers
– Advisors
– Team managers
These professionals work in regional teams to support schools in delivering appropriate special education resources and services to children.
Our NCSE Head Office Administration Team supports our regional teams. They also ensure that our corporate functions are carried out.
School Leaders
Information and guidelines on services and supports provided by NCSE
We provide expert information on all aspects of special education including:
– Assessment of need
– School teacher professional learning support
– Special school curriculum support
– Special needs assistant review and appeal
– Special education teaching (SET) allocation review
– Assistive technology
– School transport
– The National Nursing Pilot Programme
SET Hours, Special Class Teachers and SNA Allocations
Each year, the NCSE allocates the special education teaching(SET) hours, special class teachers and special needs assistants(SNAs) to schools to support students with additional needs.
You can view the current and past allocations by school and year in the link below.
NCSE Relate
Our comprehensive Relate resource is designed for school staff to better understand and to reframe behaviour. It places relationships at the heart of all support.
Relate takes a regulation-first approach in understanding and supporting students. Regulation means recognising the factors that influence our:
– Energy level
– Emotions
– Attention
– Behaviour
Education Therapy Service
The Education Therapy Service offers three levels of support depending on a student’s need. It takes a collaborative approach with our therapists working closely with schools and other professionals.
Special Classes
Find out information on special classes including:
– Guidelines on how to set up and organise a special class
– Application forms to manage existing special classes
– A list of mainstream schools with special classes
Special Schools
Find out information on managing special school supports and our Special School Curriculum Support.
This section contains guidelines and forms on school transport and assistive technology.