Staffing issues force HFS to curb summer provision

A shortage of available staff during the summer months has prevented Cootehill's Holy Family School from offering a full school-based summer programme to all pupils this year.

The HFS, which has 183 students enrolled, is this year only offering the programme to pupils with 'severe/ profound' disability and not to the autism classes.

The local school has always catered their summer Provision programme towards pupils with severe/profound learning disabilities, recognising the additional medical care required, which can be administered by HFS nursing staff. During the pandemic however the department opened up the Summer Provision to every child who attended a special school, or received certain level of support in main stream. It remains voluntary for teachers to engage in the programme.

"I don't think the department realise the staffing and resources needed to roll that out," says Rachel Moynagh, principal of Holy Family School.

She was however complementary of the department ‘s efforts to address issues, including bringing forward payments for teachers, as well as opening up the scheme to student teachers registered with the Teaching Council.

"We have 102 pupils here with ASD, so if we were to roll out provision here for those children we'd need 18 teachers for one week, and 36 SNAs. So that's what it comes down to. Right now we have five teachers in here doing the summer-based provision. Historically we would have done it for four weeks, now we only do it for two weeks because we can't get the staff."

Due to the sensitivities involved, HFS tends to work with teachers who the children are already familiar with.

Rachel says that home-based summer provision is available for children with complex needs where schools are not providing a school-based programme, has "eased the pressure" on families.

Children engaged in summer provision are allocated 10 hours of support for four weeks, and the HFS like others special schools across the country, has assisted families in submitting applications.

Even at that Rachel points out an "anomaly", where a fully qualified Primary Teacher is paid €43.34 per hour, but a SNA is paid €16.77.

"Historically it was always a teacher, then when Covid came it was a teacher or an SNA," says Rachel, adding: "If it’s school based [provision] it’s the same wage as working here, just the working year is extended. We don't get paid hourly, and the same for the SNAs. But the home-based programme, definitely there is an anomaly there in the discrepancy in pay."

Rachel is also conscious of teacher burnout. “A lot of teachers are tried, burnt out. They need a break. Some of the kids need a break too."