Report of Education Needs for the purpose of Assessment of Need (Disability Act 2005)

The Assessment of Need (AON) is a statutory process under the Disability Act (2005) whereby the Health Service Executive (HSE) reports on the health needs, and the education needs of a child/young person. All children/young people born on or after 1st June 2002 are eligible to apply to the HSE for an Assessment of Need (AON) under the Disability Act (2005).

The AON process is provided for under the Disability Act 2005 and is under the remit and responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The AON process commences when the parent/guardian makes an application for their child to the HSE.

Assessment Officers working under the remit of the HSE are charged with arranging an AON which culminates in the provision of an Assessment of Need Report and Service Statement for those who apply under the Disability Act. The Assessment Officer coordinates and completes the Assessment Report and makes a determination as to whether or not a child or young person meets the definition of disability detailed in the Act.

There is a statutory obligation on the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to nominate an appropriate person to assist the HSE as part of the HSE’s AON process. If the HSE Assessment Officer forms the opinion there may be a need for an education service to be provided to an applicant, they will request the NCSE to nominate persons with the appropriate expertise to assist in carrying out the assessment of education needs. The NCSE is obliged to nominate a person with appropriate expertise to assist in the carrying out of the assessment of education needs.

Circular 0025/2024 has issued to inform schools of the recent changes to the AON process and roles and responsibilities of the NCSE and schools. A copy of the circular can be found below

Circular 0025/2024 - Report of Education Need for the Purpose of the Assessment of Need Disability Act 2005.

A template document has been devised for schools completion ‘Report of Education Needs for the purpose of Assessment of Need’. A copy of the NCSE Report of Education Needs can be found below

A ‘Guidance Note for Schools’ has also been developed for schools to aid in the process of completing the Report of Education Needs form. A copy of the Guidance document can be found below

If a school requires additional support in the completion of the NCSE Report of Education Needs for the purpose of AON, the NCSE AON Team are available to support schools as required through this process, please consult the resources available on www.ncse.ie or ring 01 603 3456.

FAQs - Assessment of Need Process and the Role of the Education Sector