Dear members,

Thanks to your action over the past few days the Ministers for Education and Special Education have announced they will pause the review of SNA allocations that was underway.

You used your voices and social media presence to call out the review and query not only what would happen to your own roles and livelihoods, but also to raise concerns for the children and families who would have been left with no SNA support.  The issue received significant media coverage yesterday and Fórsa was able to put our views forward in several media outlets.

We argued that greater clarity was required and should have been provided in advance of any announcements on losses of posts, to ensure there was clarity on the overall allocations, on the SNA numbers for next year, where the losses or increases of posts were to be, and most importantly, what that would mean for members who might be redeployed. 

We also highlighted that the other big concern coming from our members was a fear for the students and families of children with additional needs that may not meet the criteria of the current Circular. The work of Special Needs Assistants goes far beyond what is reflected in the current, outdated SNA circulars. The SNA role is not just about meeting primary physical care needs. It's vital to supporting students’ learning and wellbeing, and to ensuring that children can reach their full potential in an inclusive education system.

We believe the move to pause the review provides an important opportunity for the Ministers to engage meaningfully with schools and all stakeholders on a better approach to planning and managing SNA supports. It gives us an important opportunity to discuss a better way of planning and managing SNA allocations for the future.

The Ministers’ decision is very welcome and will help ease anxieties around the possibility of SNA supports being removed from children in mainstream classes, who rely on that support to fully participate in their education.

The decision also demonstrates how unions and education stakeholders can work collaboratively in the best interests of both students and staff.

An assessment of whether special education is adequately funded must now take place because if 25,000 SNAs is not sufficient to meet the need that has been identified, then the Government needs to look at its investment strategy for delivering its goals for special education.

We know our SNA members are passionate about the children they care about daily and want to ensure that they receive the support they need and deserve to reach their full potential, a sentiment that is clearly echoed by many across wider society, who have shown their support on this issue.

Well done for making this happen.

We will continue to update you on this issue as it evolves.

In solidarity

Andy Pike
Head of Education