Education Minister Paul Givan has expressed deep frustration at a postponement to the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Regulations in Northern Ireland, warning the setback will hinder vital support for children, families and schools.

The SEN Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, designed to enhance provision for children and young people with special educational needs, have been subject to extended scrutiny by the Assembly’s Education Committee. Implementation, originally targeted for 1 September 2026, is now expected to be deferred until September 2027.

Minister Givan said: "This delay is neither acceptable nor in the best interests of children and young people with special educational needs. It means that long-anticipated improvements that are designed to deliver real, practical support, will not be realised for yet another year."

Measures affected include shorter assessment timescales, the creation of new rights of appeal, protected time and training for Learning Support Co-ordinators, and the rollout of Personal Learning Plans for all pupils on the SEN register. The Minister continued: "The inability to introduce new appeal rights limits access to justice for families and delays the protections that both parents and young people have been waiting for."

The Department of Education submitted the Regulations to the Committee on 10 February 2026. Officials say the proposals have been under consideration for over four months, during which they have provided evidence, answered queries, offered detailed briefings and repeatedly proposed workshops for Committee members.

"While I fully respect the Committee's role, I am concerned that the level and duration of scrutiny is now having a direct and detrimental impact on children and families. It is important that the Committee's consideration is informed by a balanced range of perspectives, however a disproportionate reliance on the views of a limited number of stakeholders risks delaying progress unnecessarily.

"I remain firmly committed to progressing the SEN Regulations as a matter of urgency and ensuring that children, young people and their families receive the support they need without further delay. I would encourage the Committee to engage further and constructively with the Department so that these vital changes can move forward as quickly as possible."