Activities of NABMSE 2013/2014

1. Activities of NABMSE2013/2014 NABMSE AGM October 16th 2014 Breda Corr General Secretary

2. Consultations and Submissions • Draft General Scheme – Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013 Briefing at Conference 2014 on, submission made in October 2013, General Secretary appeared at Joint Oireachtas Committee Dec 2013 • Role of SNA - Submission to Joint Oireachtas Committee Nov 2013 • Submission on Digital Strategy for Schools – Jan 2014 This followed the a questionnaire to all schools. • NABMSE were represented at the NCSE Consultation on the Education of Pupils with Autism in Feb 2014. There was also opportunity for discussion on this topic at NCSE Consultative Forum. • Submission to DES on proposed new model for allocating teaching resources for students with SEN in mainstream schools September 2014 submission following a consultation meeting All submissions are available on the Members Only section www.nabmse.org

3. Recent Developments General • Ongoing review of BOM Constitution • Primary On line database pilot took place last year and POD be in operation in the next year • Reduction in CID requirement for teachers • New Data protection launched www.dataprotectionschools.ie • Schools Procurement Unit in operation under auspices of JMB • Successful Bus Escort Pilot training programme has taken place and been evaluated independently • Developments on the efficient use of Supplementary Teachers Panel

4. Recent Developments • Policy advice on education for pupils with Autism is being developed by NCSE. The consultation included discussion on time out rooms and guidance for use. To be published early next year • Progress on Vetting Act – Circular to issue shortly • Teaching Council are consulting on their draft strategic plan and also new Draft Regulations with a proposal to do away with restricted recognition

5. Developments NABMSE • NABMSE membership now stands at 170 – 35% of which are mainstream schools with units(primary and post primary) • Renewal of membership is now on line with a number of payment options. Those members on standing order should complete details on line also • Conference booking was also available on line for convenience of members • Website is now being upgraded – suitable for mobile devices. Additional features will allow twitter updates, feature schools and current issues

6. Meetings /Representations - DES Department of Education and Skills • Special Education section: motions, Bus Personnel project, status of posts in special schools and deputy principals issue, new SNA Circular(03/2014) • Teacher Education section: Board of Management training steering group, continuous professional development for teachers • Teacher Allocations and school governance section: Redeployment Panel reviews and updates, staffing circular, teacher allocation /rollout of resource hours, New Vetting Act, Review of BOM Constitution • Teachers and learners section: Data Protection for schools, rollout of vaccination programme in schools, Emergency Planning information meeting

7. Meetings/ representations - DES • Procurement Steering group meetings of Schools Procurement Unit • External Staff relations: SNA – Implementation of Haddington Road Agreement, redeployment of SNAs and proposed Job sharing schemes. This also included hearings at the Labour Relations Commission and Labour Court.

8. Meetings/Briefings - other bodies • Regular meetings with other management bodies on issues of mutual interest • NCSE – Updates on allocations, Consultative Forum • Sustainable Energy Ireland – Annual meeting of Education Stakeholders Briefings • Children's First Bill • Education and the Law • Fitness to Teach • New teacher allocation model for students with SEN in mainstream schools • ISPCC Anti Bullying template • ASIAM website – Autism Spectrum information, advice and meeting point • ERASMUS EU Funding programme

9. NABMSE Nominees NABMSE have nominees or representatives on the following bodies: • NCSE • NCSE Consultative Forum • NCCA Council • NCCA Special Education Steering group • Progressing Disability programme Local Implementation groups • Policy Advisory Committee meeting for the MA in Educational Psychology at Mary Immaculate College • Primary Management bodies nominees on the Teaching Council are – Eileen Flynn and Dr. Ken Fennelly • NABMSE nominate to other working groups as requested

10. Training for Boards/Schools • Regional meetings/seminars are planned for 2014/2015 • Please contact the local Diocesan Secretary for information on nationally mandated training for BOMs(5 modules) • It is hoped to have an Anti Bullying Training Modules for BOMs in the current school year • The Data Protection website is important source of information and there will be an input at the Conference tomorrow • Energy Management Courses available – see Conference bags for details and special school case study • NABMSE/NCCA Level 2 Learning programmes workshop – on line planning toolkit – 11th November in Athlone Education Centre.

11. Motions 2013 • This motion calls on NABMSE to examine the implications of the Education(Admission to Schools)Bill 2013 for BOMs and make necessary submissions to relevant bodies as a matter of urgency Submission sent, General Secretary appeared at Joint Oireachtas Committee in December and NABMSE are monitoring developments • This motion calls on NABMSE to negotiate with the DES for funding for training for SNAs. This is ongoing – Initial discussions were held with DES and more work needs to be done in light of the new Circular. Research has been undertaken by another agency in the issue of SNA training for their role

12. Motions 2013 • NABMSE calls on NEPS and NCSE to clarify their respective roles and responsibilities with regard to advising parents and schools on appropriate placement for pupils with special educational needs. This was included as an issue in our submission to the Education(Admission to Schools) Bill 2013. A guideline for health sector reports to the NCSE in relation to placement of children with additional educational needs was issued to Health Sector in March 2014 and assists in clarifying this role 4. This motion calls on NABMSE to highlight with the appropriate agencies the need for clear guidelines for BOMs with regard to making application for and maintaining support service provision for all children with Sen in our schools with specific reference to Progressing Disabilities programme

13. Motions 2013 Sent correspondence to Caroline Cantan, National Co-ordinator and received reply explaining that a working group has developed a draft national policy which is being tested. It is aimed to have clear guidance before Summer 2014 • NABMSE should as a matter of urgency the referral process for clinical supports for students with a mild general learning disability under Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Sent correspondence to Caroline Cantan, National Co-ordinator and received reply. This stated that access to services will be provided according to a child’s needs rather than disability category. Access to services for children with mild GLD would be as for all children at a level most appropriate to their needs

14. Motions 2013 6. NABMSE calls on the DEs to recognise that in the area of special education, specialist training may be required on occasion and that they facilitate BOMs to approve attendance at such courses through provision of substitution cover and fees Initial discussions were held with DES in conjunction with motion 2(SNA Training). NABMSE have been told by DES that there is no budget for specialist training except through SESS. Ongoing issue • NABMSE calls on the DES to provide for the establishment of a new type of Special School with rules and organisation structures appropriate to the profile and age of students as recommended by the NCSE as recommended by NCSE in their Policy Advice paper 4. This motion is being investigated in conjunction with motion 2 and 7 – 2012. The project is broken down into three phases and research has been commissioned for phase one.

15. Any questions? • Please feel free to ask for clarification on any issues mentioned