Appeals
The NCSE is committed to exercising its role in relation to the allocation of teaching hours and Special Needs Assistants to schools to support the education of children with special educational needs in a way that is fair, consistent and transparent. The NCSE has introduced an appeals procedure which can now be viewed in full below. In essence the appeals process operates as follows:
SENO issues the decision to the school.
The school/parent indicates they wish to appeal.
SENO issues the rationale for the decision and includes the appeal forms.
The school/parent initiates the appeal. NB The appeal initiated must be sought on the grounds set out previously and must clearly indicate how the rationale for the decision does not conform to DES policy.
The appeal is submitted to the SENO and forwarded to the senior SENO for consideration. The senior SENO will examine the substance of the appeal and can decide if there are insufficient grounds for appeal. This could arise as a result of the appeal focusing exclusivelyon issues such as health and safety, duty of care, criticism of DES policy or complaints about staff.
The appeal will focus on the factors which led to the decision. Any new information such as professional reports should be submitted to the SENO through the school for consideration in the context of a review of the original decision.
In processing the appeal, the senior SENO may consult with parents, school staff and education/health professionals.
The senior SENO may uphold or alter the decision appealed.
On receipt of the decision on the appeal, the school must act on the outcome of the appeal.
The Appeals Procedure
NCSE Appeal 1
NCSE Appeal 2
NCSE Appeal 3
NCSE Appeal 4
