Updated Circular on School Planning for 2027/2028 School Academic Year

In recent days, the Department of Education and Youth published its updated circular on National Council for Special Education “Parents Notify process to determine the level of need for special education places for the 2027/2028 school year”. This circular replaces circular 0039/2025 in respect of the operation of the NCSE Parents Notify process regarding the 2027/2028 school year.

The key aspects of this circular for Parents/Guardians of children and young people seeking an Autism class or special school place for the 2027/2028 school year are:

• Parents/Guardians are required to notify the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) by 1st September 2026 and to provide necessary documentation by 15th September 2026. It is important to note that where Parents/Guardians do not have the required documentation prior to the 15th, they still should notify and engage with the NCSE.
• The Department will be working on further communication to parents on this process over the summer.
• Schools are requested not to include a stipulation in their admissions policy that professional reports must be dated within the last two years.
• If a child is already enrolled in school and an Autism class or special school placement is required, the NCSE will determine a child’s eligibility for a special class or school.
• In such cases, the NCSE will also require the most recent version of such child’s student support plan. “This will help to provide useful information on how a child or young person is supported in their current setting”.
• Once the letter of eligibility has been received from the NCSE, Parents/Guardians can then apply directly to schools for admission to an Autism class/Special school for their child for the academic year 2027/2028.

AsIAm acknowledges the importance of planning, future proofing and coordinating supports to build a better educational system for Autistic students across the country. The right to an education is a primary fundamental right within our legal system, yet it remains an unfulfilled promise for many members of the Autistic community. As we approach this coming school term, it is vital that all children who require an appropriate school placement receive this, in line with their constitutional rights. It is deeply regrettable that once again the Department has left the announcement of these changes until such a late stage, with school already closed, and without any due consideration of the practical challenges this will pose to families already over-burdened in a navigating an enrolment process that can be far from clear or accessible. Additionally, it is noted that once again the Department failed to engage in a timely, meaningful consultation processes with advocacy groups, as it is required to under the UNCRPD, prior to publication.

In this context we also note, the Department has announced the establishment of a new National Forum on Inclusive Education for Students with Additional Needs. This announcement is welcome, and much needed, however it will only be effective if its work is given the time, attention, access, briefing materials and due weight by the Minister, Minister of State and Department. It is vital the Department of Education and Youth engage meaningfully and substantively with this new forum, especially with DPOs as identified under Article 4.3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, so that effective change within our school system can come to fruition, inline with Article 24 of the UNCRPD. Nothing about us, without us, which truly means nothing without us.