18/11/2025
SDLP 'Concerned' Over Lack Of Access NI Checks In Special Needs Schools
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson and East Derry MLA Cara Hunter has said that she is concerned over the absence of Access NI vetting for some special needs school support roles.
An FOI request to the union Unite indicated that 353 support staff posts in special needs schools had been filled without Access NI checks, with staff taken on using temporary engagement forms.
Hunter said: "It's deeply concerning that hundreds of school support staff are working with young people with special educational needs without Access NI checks in place. It's even more important that every step possible is taken to keep vulnerable young people safe and the Minister has totally failed to live up to his public commitment to end this practice.
"I also acknowledge the concerns raised by Unite about the detrimental impact this has on staff. All of the proper rules and regulations must be followed when recruiting, particularly for roles of this nature.
"The Minister must urgently outline his plans to end the use of temporary engagement forms to recruit for these kinds of positions. We need to see staff treated fairly and every possible precaution put in place to protect vulnerable young people."
An FOI request to the union Unite indicated that 353 support staff posts in special needs schools had been filled without Access NI checks, with staff taken on using temporary engagement forms.
"I also acknowledge the concerns raised by Unite about the detrimental impact this has on staff. All of the proper rules and regulations must be followed when recruiting, particularly for roles of this nature.
"The Minister must urgently outline his plans to end the use of temporary engagement forms to recruit for these kinds of positions. We need to see staff treated fairly and every possible precaution put in place to protect vulnerable young people."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 October 2022
New Staff Wellbeing Hub Opens At Maghaberry Prison
Justice Minister Naomi Long has officially opened a new Staff Wellbeing Hub at Maghaberry Prison, highlighting how 'prison officers carry out a challenging and unique role and it is important that we ensure they receive the wellbeing support, recognition and development opportunities deserving of the role'.
New Staff Wellbeing Hub Opens At Maghaberry Prison
Justice Minister Naomi Long has officially opened a new Staff Wellbeing Hub at Maghaberry Prison, highlighting how 'prison officers carry out a challenging and unique role and it is important that we ensure they receive the wellbeing support, recognition and development opportunities deserving of the role'.
01 December 2011
Irish Language 'Special Needs' In Focus
There has been high-level encouragement for continuing work on teaching special needs in the Irish medium. At a conference on special educational needs this week, partnerships across all sectors were hailed as being central to meeting the needs of all children with special needs.
Irish Language 'Special Needs' In Focus
There has been high-level encouragement for continuing work on teaching special needs in the Irish medium. At a conference on special educational needs this week, partnerships across all sectors were hailed as being central to meeting the needs of all children with special needs.
05 November 2007
Stormont Assembly Needs 'Own Staff'
A more 'dynamic' leadership would result from the Northern Ireland Assembly having its own staff, separate from the rest of the civil service, an independent review has recommended. The review said there has been an "absence of dynamic corporate leadership" on the part of the assembly's senior management.
Stormont Assembly Needs 'Own Staff'
A more 'dynamic' leadership would result from the Northern Ireland Assembly having its own staff, separate from the rest of the civil service, an independent review has recommended. The review said there has been an "absence of dynamic corporate leadership" on the part of the assembly's senior management.
14 June 2005
Hotel and tourism sector needs to invest in staff training
Northern Ireland’s hotel and tourism sector needs to invest in training for its staff if it is to compete internationally, new research by the University of Ulster has said.
Hotel and tourism sector needs to invest in staff training
Northern Ireland’s hotel and tourism sector needs to invest in training for its staff if it is to compete internationally, new research by the University of Ulster has said.
26 June 2006
Campaign launched to save school
A campaign is to be launched today to save an east Belfast Secondary school from being closed. Lisnasharragh High School, which the late soccer legend George Best attended, is one of four schools proposed for closure.
Campaign launched to save school
A campaign is to be launched today to save an east Belfast Secondary school from being closed. Lisnasharragh High School, which the late soccer legend George Best attended, is one of four schools proposed for closure.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.