17 November 2025
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has expressed her concern at the lack of Access NI checks for special needs school places.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to union Unite confirmed that 353 special needs school support staff positions had been filled without Access NI checks in place.
The staff were employed on temporary engagement forms.
East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said:
“It’s deeply concerning that hundreds of school support staff are working with young people with special educational needs without Access NI checks in place. It’s even more important that every step possible is taken to keep vulnerable young people safe and the Minister has totally failed to live up to his public commitment to end this practice.
“I also acknowledge the concerns raised by Unite about the detrimental impact this has on staff. All of the proper rules and regulations must be followed when recruiting, particularly for roles of this nature.
“The Minister must urgently outline his plans to end the use of temporary engagement forms to recruit for these kinds of positions. We need to see staff treated fairly and every possible precaution put in place to protect vulnerable young people.”