Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

School Leaders Special Classes Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

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Application for School Transport

The NCSE processes applications for school transport for students with special educational needs.

To apply, schools must:
– Complete the application form
– Include professional report(s)
– Send all documents to their local special educational needs organiser (SENO)

The SENO will then send the application to the School Transport Section in the Department of Education, who make the decision on all applications.

View School Transport Section

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Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

Application for Assistive Technology

The NCSE processes applications for assistive technology for students with special educational needs.

You can use:
Form 3 for students under 18

Form 3A for students 18 and over

View Assistive Technology Section

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Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

Notification of Enrolment Form

This form is for schools to notify the NCSE when they offer enrolment to a student in a special school or special class in line with the school’s admissions criteria.

Please send your completed form to your local SENO by post or email.

Download Notification of Enrolment Form

Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

Quick Reference Guide to Care Needs

The document is a Quick Reference Guide that summarises care needs outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014.

It lists situations where students with special needs may need adult assistance, such as:
– Eating and drinking
– Using the toilet
– Moving around the classroom and school
– Medical administration such as helping with medicine
– Supervising
– Support for communication and curriculum

Download Quick Reference Guide

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Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

NCSE Guidelines for Mainstream Schools 2023-24

This booklet contains guidelines and key dates for School Principals and Boards of Management for the School Year in relation to Special Classes.

View Special Class Guidelines

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Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

Form 6 – Student Attendance Confirmation Form

Schools submit the Student Attendance Confirmation
Form (NCSE Form 6) to their local SENO confirming that new and existing students have taken up or
retained their placements.

Download Form 6 – Student Attendance Confirmation Form

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Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

Behavioural Care Needs Form

When the primary reason for the application for care needs support relates to behavioural care needs, this form should be completed following an approach based on a Continuum of Support, as outlined in NEPS publications, “Guidelines for Supporting Pupils with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties”.

Completed Behavioural Care Needs Forms can be submitted to your local SENO by post or email.

Download Behavioural Care Needs Form

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Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

Form 5 – Leavers Form

Schools should forward the Leavers Form (NCSE Form 5) by post or email to their SENO with respect to students who are leaving a Special Class or who are otherwise
in receipt of special education resources that were assigned following application to the NCSE.

Where there are no students leaving, the school should complete the form and return it to the SENO with a NIL return.

Download Form 5 – Leavers Form

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Guidelines and Applications for Mainstream Schools with Special Classes

Form 1 – Application to NCSE for Access to SNA Support

Unlike mainstream SNA allocations, application for additional SNA support for students attending Special Classes continues to be made on an individual student basis.

Such applications can be made on application Form 1 for students under the age of 18.

Form 1A can be used to apply for access to SNA support for students aged 18 years and over.

Completed forms should be submitted to your SENO.

Download Form 1 for Students Under 18 Download Form 1A for Students Over 18