To ask the Minister of Health to outline the number of special schools that have had Community Children’s Nursing services withdrawn.

Mr Nesbitt

All special education needs schools across Northern Ireland have community children’s nurses (CCNs) available to them in order to manage the identifiable healthcare needs of their pupils. For historical reasons, of the 40 SEN schools in Northern Ireland, only eight have on-site CCNs in place, who are split across the Belfast Trust and the South Eastern Trust. In the 2023-24 financial year, the delivery model in Knockevin School changed to an in-reach model, with CCNs providing assessment and care planning for children with complex healthcare needs. The nurses provided knowledge and skills-based training to key staff in the school and were available for queries and guidance as necessary. After engagement and discussion with the Department and the South Eastern Trust, the presence of an on-site nurse in Knockevin School was stepped up again in mid-2025, and, currently, a CCN is on site two mornings a week in addition to the presence of allied health professional colleagues. Following last month's publication of the Public Health Agency's review of the healthcare needs of children attending SEN schools, officials in my Department have commenced work alongside colleagues from Education in order to ensure that all children in SEN schools have access to necessary healthcare.

Mr Nesbitt

I thank the Member for his question. We have looked at the provision of CCNs, but it is imperative that we ensure that all children have safe access to education that is supported by the necessary therapeutic support. The Public Health Agency is leading a comprehensive analysis in order to identify what the assessed therapeutic needs are for children and young people who attend special schools. We need to know that the development of an effective model of therapy provision is being planned and that we have the associated workforce in development and planning. That will include a comprehensive scoping exercise to capture the assessed needs of children and young people in respect of occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy. To answer the Member's question, I expect to receive the completed review with recommendations by March 2026, with the usual proviso that, sometimes, our deadlines are not met.