NABMSE AGM October 16 th 2014 Breda Corr General Secretary.

NABMSE AGMOctober 16th 2014

Breda CorrGeneral Secretary

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 2013Role of SNA - Submission to Joint Oireachtas Committee Nov 2013Submission 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

Recent Developments General

Ongoing review of BOM ConstitutionPrimary On line database pilot took place last year and POD be in operation in the next yearReduction in CID requirement for teachersNew Data protection launched www.dataprotectionschools.ie Schools Procurement Unit in operation under auspices of JMBSuccessful Bus Escort Pilot training programme has taken place and been evaluated independentlyDevelopments on the efficient use of Supplementary Teachers Panel

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 shortlyTeaching Council are consulting on their draft strategic plan and also new

Draft Regulations with a proposal to do away with restricted recognition

DevelopmentsNABMSE

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 alsoConference booking was also available on line for convenience of membersWebsite is now being upgraded – suitable for mobile devices. Additional features will allow twitter updates, feature schools and current issues

Meetings /Representations - DESDepartment of Education and SkillsSpecial 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 teachersTeacher 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

Meetings/ representations - DESProcurement Steering group meetings of Schools Procurement UnitExternal 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.

Meetings/Briefings - other bodies Regular meetings with other management bodies on issues of mutual

interestNCSE – Updates on allocations, Consultative ForumSustainable Energy Ireland – Annual meeting of Education Stakeholders

Briefings Children's First BillEducation and the LawFitness to TeachNew teacher allocation model for students with SEN in mainstream schools ISPCC Anti Bullying templateASIAM website – Autism Spectrum information, advice and meeting pointERASMUS EU Funding programme

NABMSE Nominees NABMSE have nominees or representatives on the following bodies:NCSENCSE Consultative ForumNCCA CouncilNCCA Special Education Steering groupProgressing Disability programme Local Implementation groupsPolicy Advisory Committee meeting for the MA in Educational Psychology at Mary Immaculate CollegePrimary Management bodies nominees on the Teaching Council are – Eileen Flynn and Dr. Ken FennellyNABMSE nominate to other working groups as requested

Training for Boards/SchoolsRegional meetings/seminars are planned for 2014/2015Please 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 tomorrowEnergy 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.

Motions 20131. 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

2. 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

Motions 20133. 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

Motions 2013Sent 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

5.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

Motions 20136. 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 feesInitial 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 issue7.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.

Any questions?Please feel free to ask for clarification on any

issues mentioned