Special Needs Education in Ireland: Legislative Changes, NCSE Role, and Inclusive Practice

Overview of Projects in Special Needs Education

A project is a response to a brief devised by the assessor. A project is usually carried out over an extended period of time. Projects may involve research, require investigation of a topic, issue or problem or may involve process such as a design task, a performance or practical activity or production of an artefact or event.

History & Current Policy 

1) Outline the changes in relation to special need education in Ireland over the past 30 years.

2) Outline the role and responsibilities of the National Council or Special Education (NCSE) in
relation to:
? the child (any person under 18 years)
? the family
? the school

3) In your own words give a summary of the EPSEN Act 2004. How has this act been of benefit
to children with special educational needs?

The Project must be written in essay style format and include the most prominent legislative and policy
changes over the last 30 years. Include at least 4 different legislative/policy changes and a summary
of same. Do not include long lists of information. Discuss the impacts of these changes.
Include improvements made and critical evaluation with back up from one newspaper article relating
to SEN in Ireland.

Outline the role and responsibilities of the National Council or Special Education (NCSE) in relation to:

? the child (any person under 18 years)
? the family
? the school
What is the background of the NSCE and what is their role in the above. Write in your own words.

In your own words give a summary of the EPSEN Act 2004. How has this act been of benefit to children
with special educational needs? What are the benefits of EPSEN and critically evaluate its
implementation?

Planning Activities  

Choose one subject area, for example: SPHE (Social Personal Health Education), Science, History /
Geography and design an activity for a small group of children, one or more of which has a physical
disability or impairment. Complete the activity and devise a written report addressing the criteria
below:

1) Describe the activity you have devised and how you have considered awareness of social,
ethical and legal issues in relation to the education and care.

2) Outline how you implemented safety and welfare practices to ensure the wellbeing of the
child/children during the activity.

Or, if you are unable to attend placement at this time

Outline how you would implement safety and welfare practices to ensure the wellbeing of the
child/children during the activity.

3) Discuss how you have accounted for the involvement of the child/children with special needs
in the activity.

Or, if you are unable to attend placement at this time Discuss how you intend to account for
the involvement of the child/children with special needs in the activity.

4) What considerations have you put in place to ensure the implementation of good practice
procedures.

5) Outline the learning objectives for the children.

6) Evaluation of performance. Give an evaluation of your involvement during the activity and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
or, if you are unable to attend placement at this time.

Choose an activity for a small group of children, one or more of which has a specific physical disability
or impairment. include a description of the specific disability chosen. Complete the activity and devise
a written report addressing the criteria below:

The activity can be sensory based or linked in with a subject area, depending on the age group it is
designed for.

1. Describe the activity in detail.
2. How have you considered awareness of social, ethical and legal issues in relation to the
education and care.
3. Outline how you implemented safety and welfare practices to ensure the wellbeing of the
child/children during the activity.
4. Discuss how you have accounted for the involvement of the child/children with special
needs in the activity. Give exact information to portray that inclusive practice is evident.
5. What considerations have you put in place to ensure the implementation of good practice
procedures.
6. Outline the learning objectives for the children.
7. Provide an evaluation in two contexts: Evaluate your own performance. Give an
evaluation of your involvement working as part of a multidisciplinary team and the
important use of effective communication working with the team.