Autistic students discriminated against in admissions

Schools are persisting with admission policies that discriminate against autistic children with the highest needs, according to inspectors from the Department of Education and Youth. Despite repeated reminders that such practices are not permitted, the department's latest annual review found "insufficient progress" over the past year.

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it is disappointed that insufficient progress has been made over the past year

The inspectorate's report highlights that some schools continue to publish admission policies with provisions that risk limiting access for children who are entitled to specialist educational placements. These practices include refusing enrollment based on potential behavior, requiring parents to provide extra information or undertake steps beyond those of other applicants, and demanding that students demonstrate an ability to participate in mainstream classes before being considered for a special class placement.

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton urged every patron body to "immediately remove, without delay, any provision that could create a barrier to enrolment for an autistic child." The department is taking the findings very seriously and is writing to the 15 schools whose policies were found to contain problematic clauses, requesting their immediate removal. The department is also considering further measures to ensure compliance.

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to immediately remove, without delay, any provision that could create a barrier to enrolment for an autistic child

Chief Inspector Yvonne Keating expressed disappointment, noting that "half of the schools in this sample have conditional clauses in their admission policies." This is particularly concerning given previous departmental guidance and circulars aimed at providing clear direction on non-permitted clauses. The review, based on 30 schools with special classes for autistic students, found similar issues in a 2024 examination, although a different set of schools was reviewed this year.

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The finding that half of the schools in this sample have conditional clauses in their admission policies is particularly concerning and disappointing considering the letter from the minister to all patron bodies and the publication of an Information Note and a revised circular by the department giving schools clear direction on clauses that are not permitted