What to do if you need support

The National Educational Welfare Board is here to help if there is a problem with school attendance or getting an education.

You can contact us in three ways.

By phone:

Through our website:
www.newb.ie

By post or in person:
NEWB, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 1

Download our Parents Leaflet
Download English Version(PDF Format)
Download French Version (PDF Format)
Download Romanian Version (PDF Format)

The NEWB’s work for children’s educational welfare brings us into contact with a variety of Organisations

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is a service provided by the Department of Education and Science. NEPS psychologists work with both primary and post-primary schools and they are concerned with learning, behaviour, social and emotional development. Each psychologist is assigned to a group of schools.

NEPS psychologists specialise in working with the school community.  They work in partnership with teachers, parents and children in identifying educational needs. They offer a range of services aimed at meeting these needs, for example, supporting individual students (through consultation and assessment), special projects and research.

"NEPS mission is to support the personal, social and educational development of all children through the application of psychological theory and practice in education, having particular regard for children with special educational needs."
www.education.ie

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is a statutory body established under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004.

Its functions include (i) the provision of a range of services at local and national level in order to meet the educational needs of children with disabilities, (ii) the undertaking of research and the provision of expert advice to the Minister for Education and Science on the formulation and implementation of special education policy for persons with disabilities.

As part of its local service provision it has the specific responsibility to improve the co-ordination between the education and health sectors in supporting children with special educational needs.
www.ncse.ie

Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) are responsible for delivering services at local level around the country. SENOs are the point of contact for parents/guardians and schools. They will process applications for children with low incidence disabilities with special educational needs at both secondary and primary level.

The Special Education Support Service (SESS)
In September 2003, the Department of Education and Science established the Special Education Support Service (SESS) to manage, co-ordinate and develop a range of supports in response to the identified training needs of teachers. The SESS provides a nationwide service to teachers and special needs assistants
www.cecde.ie

There are now 40 Visiting Teachers for Traveller (VTT) children. Visiting teachers consult with Traveller families and advise and assist them in arranging school placements for their children. They also provide support at the pre-school, primary and post primary level. The service is overseen by a National Education Officer for Travellers.
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/education/
primary_education/home_school_liaison.html

The Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme was established in Ireland in 1990. Teachers were initially appointed as liaison officers in a number of primary schools throughout the country in areas of urban disadvantage. In 1991, the scheme was extended to post-primary schools and in 1999 the scheme was extended to all designated disadvantaged schools. The scheme is targeted at students who are at risk of not reaching their potential in the educational system because of economic or social disadvantage. The HSCL aims to build the capacities of  children, parents and communities to utilize the school service.
www.education.ie

The School Completion Programme (SCP) is a Department of Education and Science initiative  that aims to have a significant impact on pupil retention in both primary and secondary schools. SCP is based on the concept of integrated services, where effective supports include multi-faceted actions with inter-agency partners, including the NEWB.
www.education.ie