Assessment of need for kids reform

CHILDREN with additional needs will no longer need an assessment of need (AON) to access appropriate school placements under new reforms.

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN

Currently, this assessment is needed for children to be placed in special schools or special classes.

This means thousands of children cannot access appropriate school placements as the waiting list for an AON grows.

Figures in September show 18,097 children are waiting on an AON.