Inclusion in education is recognised as a basic human right and is the foundation for a more just and equal society. Having a policy and ethos of inclusion in schools ensures that education is provided to children in the context of:

• Special educational needs
• English as an additional language
• Educational disadvantage
• Detention and care schools educational settings
• Intercultural education

The following is an overview of the supports and resources relating to inclusion;

Special Education Support Services

The SESS provides support to teachers in the form of in-school professional development and individual professional development. They also offer an email and phone support service via (021) 425 4241 or their Contact Us. They also have a number of resources located here.

PDST

The Primary Professional Development Service, which has now been subsumed into the PDST, has provided seminars and training in this area in the past. The support materials are still relevant and available.

National Council for Special Education

The NCSE deliver a service through a national network of Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) who liaise with parents and schools and the HSE in providing resources to support children with special educational needs. In 2011 it published Inclusive Education Framework: A guide for schools on the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs.

Scoilnet

Scoilnet has developed a number of factsheets (see below) which provide definitions, characteristics of special needs, helpful strategies and related links as a means of supporting teachers in responding to inclusion in education.