To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 16715/22-27, whether the Schools Trauma Advisory Referral Service is currently not accepting referrals.

The Schools Trauma Advisory Referral Service (STARS) was available to schools with children seeking sanctuary for early advice and onwards referrals to the Educational Psychology and other relevant Education Authority (EA) services that support the emotional health and wellbeing of children.

Due to a shortage in the availability of Educational Psychologist support within the EA, STARS is not currently taking referrals. The Intercultural Education Service (IES) are currently working with EA colleagues to explore alternative ways of providing trauma-informed training, advice and support to schools who require urgent early intervention for children seeking sanctuary.