Information only, not medical advice. Every child with PURA syndrome is different. Please talk to your child's own doctors and therapists before making decisions about their care. In an emergency call 999; for urgent advice call NHS 111. Our disclaimer.
How SEN support works now
In Northern Ireland, schools follow the Department of Education's Code of Practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs. Support starts in school, led by the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO). If a child needs more than the school can provide, the Education Authority (EA) can carry out a statutory assessment, which may lead to a statement of special educational needs (EA).
A statement is a legal document that sets out a child's needs and how the EA will meet them (SENAC). It's reviewed every year at an annual review. Many children with PURA syndrome have statements.
Asking for a statutory assessment
A parent, the school, an educational psychologist or a medical professional can ask the EA to consider a statutory assessment (EA). Since 12 January 2026, requests go through the EA's online system, EA Connect, where you can also follow progress (EA).
It helps to include recent reports from your child's NHS team and school, and real examples of what your child needs during the day.
The 26-week timeline
The whole process should take 26 weeks, unless an exception applies (EA):
Up to 6 weeks: the EA decides whether to assess, and tells you how to appeal if it says no. Up to 10 weeks: it gathers advice from you and from professionals. Up to 2 weeks: it tells you whether it will issue a proposed statement or a “note in lieu” (a note instead of a statement). Up to 8 weeks: you respond to the proposed statement, can ask for changes or a meeting, and say which school you'd prefer; then the final statement is issued.
If you disagree
If the EA won't assess, won't issue a statement, or you disagree with parts of it, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). You usually have two months from the decision (SENAC, Department of Justice).
The EA also runs independent dispute avoidance arrangements, which can help settle things without a tribunal (Department of Education).
The new SEN framework: what's changing and when
Northern Ireland is moving to a new framework built on the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, new SEN Regulations and a new Code of Practice. Only parts of the 2016 Act are in force so far, including the duty to take account of the child's views (Department of Education).
The new regulations were due to start on 1 September 2026. After extended scrutiny by the Assembly's Education Committee, the Department said in June 2026 that this is now expected to be September 2027 (Department of Education).
When it starts, the plan is for shorter assessment timescales, new rights of appeal, Learning Support Co-ordinators replacing SENCOs, and Personal Learning Plans for every pupil on the SEN register. Until then, the current system above still applies. We'll update this guide when the date is confirmed.
Free, independent help
SENAC (the Special Educational Needs Advice Centre) gives free, independent advice on the SEN system in Northern Ireland. The EA’s SEN pages have its SEN helpdesk details. Contact can help with school and benefits too.
Living in England, Scotland or Wales? The system is different: use the chooser at the top of this page.
Questions families ask
Is a statement the same as an EHCP?
They're similar ideas but different systems. EHC plans are for England. In Northern Ireland, the EA issues statements of special educational needs.
Should I wait for the new framework before asking for an assessment?
No. The current system still applies, and the new regulations aren't expected until September 2027. If your child needs support now, you can ask now. SENAC can talk it through.
Sources
Checked 1 Nov 2026. Rules, rates and services change, so always check the latest version.
- https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/code-practice-identification-and-assessment-special-educational-needs
- https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/special-educational-needs-sen
- https://send.eani.org.uk/statutory-assessment/information-schools/timeline
- https://www.eani.org.uk/news/update-on-statutory-assessment-process
- https://senac.co.uk/advice/can-i-appeal-a-decision-made-by-the-education-authority/
- https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/special-educational-needs-and-disability-tribunal-finance
- https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/new-sen-framework
- https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/givan-voices-disappointment-over-delay-sen-regulations
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2016/8/contents
- https://www.senac.co.uk/
Print the checklist
Take our one-page “what to ask” list to the appointment: EHCP and school or nursery meetings.
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