NCSE Supports for Schools and Parents

NCSE supports for schools and parents

For teachers in special schools and special classes that are delivering remote teaching and learning

· NCSE has a number of dedicated advisors in the area of behaviour, autism and other special educational needs. The NCSE is setting up a phone line where teachers in a special school or special class can speak directly to an advisor. This new phone number is 01 603 3233 (from Monday 11 January).

· NCSE will be developing a brand new suite of short videos for teachers on how best to support children and young people with special educational needs when they are learning remotely. These will include tips and strategies for engaging learners with online learning as well as more general advice about supporting the well-being of students.

· The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher Service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. This service will continue to be delivered online.

· Schools can continue to access NCSE online support https://ncse.ie/school-support provided in the form of telephone support, email support, or via video conferencing. Teachers in special classes and special schools can request support specific to their needs or the needs of the children in their school/class. Bespoke training is designed by NCSE Advisors, with input from Behaviour Practitioners, OTs and SLTs as required and will be delivered using appropriate online platforms.

· Schools who established their first ASD Special Class for 2020/21 were assigned a link advisor during the 4 day training course in September/ October 2020. These advisors remain assigned to these classes and are available to provide support and advice to the special class teacher.

· NCSE will continue to deliver a range of online seminars for teachers https://ncse.ie/for-schools/connect-teacher-professional-learning-events-catalogue covering a range of topics including supporting children with autism in school, positive behaviour management, assistive technology etc. These courses are designed to increase teachers’ capacity to support and teach students with special educational needs.

· The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_details. If teachers experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200.

For teachers of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools that are delivering remote teaching and learning

· NCSE has created a dedicated phone line for teachers to seek advice with regard to delivering remote teaching and learning to children with special educational needs. Teachers calling this line can access a number of NCSE advisors with expertise in a range of special educational needs. This new phone number is 01 603 3233 (from Monday 11 January).

· Schools will continue to have access to NCSE online support https://ncse.ie/school-support provided in the form of telephone support, email support, or via video conferencing. Teachers in in mainstream schools can request support specific to their needs or the needs of the children in their school/class. Bespoke training is designed by NCSE Advisors, with input from Behaviour Practitioners, OTs and SLTs as required and will be delivered using appropriate online platforms.

· NCSE will be delivering a range of online seminars for teachers https://ncse.ie/for-schools/connect-teacher-professional-learning-events-catalogue covering a range of topics including supporting children with autism in school, positive behaviour management, assistive technology etc. These courses are designed to increase teachers’ capacity to support and teach students with special educational needs.

· The NCSE has a whole range of resources https://ncse.ie/teacher-resources covering a wide range of topics, including useful apps to facilitate remote teaching and learning https://ncse.ie/useful-apps and other useful resources that were prepared in response to the last period of remote teaching and learning.

· The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_details. If teachers experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200.

For parents of children with special educational needs

· NCSE have created a dedicated phone line for parents to get advice and support from SENOs. The SENO will provide support and advice to parents and where relevant provide specific resources e.g. behaviour strategies, NEPS well-being resources. If necessary parents can book a subsequent appointment with the SENO assigned to their child’s school. This new phone number is 01 603 3456 (from Monday 11 January).

· For students who might be moving between schools in September 2021, SENOs will undertake structured engagement with relevant students and their families. This engagement will involve advice and support on transition strategies appropriate to the student, along with support in securing a school placement where required.

· SENOs will continue to provide a series of webinars for parents of students with special education needs starting primary school in September 2021.

· The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support to parents, students and teachers during this period of remote teaching and learning. Visiting Teachers will undertake structured engagement with the families of students to whom they currently provide support to. This engagement will involve an initial check in with advice on available supports and resources. In particular, the Visiting Teacher will provide support on the use of assistive technology in the home. The Visiting Teacher will agree a programme of regular engagement with the student and family as required and will remain available to respond to emerging queries over the course of remote teaching and learning. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_details. If parents experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200.

· NCSE will also be releasing a brand new suite of short videos for parents. Topics will include managing behaviour; establishing positive routines; building in movement breaks etc.

· NCSE will also be updating and enhancing its range of resources for parents available at https://ncse.ie/parent-resources many of which were created with specific reference to remote teaching and learning.