TY - GEN
T1 - A profile of Classroom Assistants in Northern Ireland
AU - O'Connor, Una
AU - Courtney, Caroline
AU - Montgomery, Alison
AU - Curran, Christina
PY - 2024/12/19
Y1 - 2024/12/19
N2 - In Northern Ireland (NI), there has been an exponential growth in Classroom Assistant (CA) numbers over recent years - between 2018/19 and 2023/24, the number of posts increased by almost two thirds (63%). However, the absence of any large-scale, in-depth review has created a significant knowledge and practice gap in relation to a pivotal workforce whose position in the special educational needs (SEN) landscape has never been strategically evaluated in terms of contribution, impact or efficiency. The aim of the project was to establish a profile of the CA workforce in mainstream and special schools in NI. The objectives were to: provide an overview of recruitment and deployment procedures; identify CA duties and responsibilities; record CA perceptions of their role in school and perspectives on the future of the post; and provide key messages that can contribute to policy and decision-making around any future review of the CA post. To address these objectives, a two-phase, mixed methods study, comprising a large-scale quantitative survey and focus groups was developed.Research findings and key messages are identified in relation to: recruitment and employment; deployment and support for SEN; the CA role; training, induction and appraisal; CA status within the school; and the future of the CA post.
AB - In Northern Ireland (NI), there has been an exponential growth in Classroom Assistant (CA) numbers over recent years - between 2018/19 and 2023/24, the number of posts increased by almost two thirds (63%). However, the absence of any large-scale, in-depth review has created a significant knowledge and practice gap in relation to a pivotal workforce whose position in the special educational needs (SEN) landscape has never been strategically evaluated in terms of contribution, impact or efficiency. The aim of the project was to establish a profile of the CA workforce in mainstream and special schools in NI. The objectives were to: provide an overview of recruitment and deployment procedures; identify CA duties and responsibilities; record CA perceptions of their role in school and perspectives on the future of the post; and provide key messages that can contribute to policy and decision-making around any future review of the CA post. To address these objectives, a two-phase, mixed methods study, comprising a large-scale quantitative survey and focus groups was developed.Research findings and key messages are identified in relation to: recruitment and employment; deployment and support for SEN; the CA role; training, induction and appraisal; CA status within the school; and the future of the CA post.
UR - https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/publications/1efd7e34-fd72-4e47-87dc-4e781f7e70a4
M3 - Other contribution
PB - Ulster University
ER -