To ask the Minister of Education to detail what training is received by those employed by the Education Authority as escorts travelling with children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The Education Authority (EA) has advised me that escorts travelling with pupils on home to school transport complete a staff induction, mandatory EA staff training and they receive regular training related to their role.

The training provided includes child protection and safeguarding, autism awareness and managing challenging behaviour. Any training specific to the individual Special Educational Needs (SEN) or medical needs of pupils is arranged as required. Additionally, escorts take part in the Passenger Assistant Training Scheme, which the EA informs me is currently being reviewed and further tailored to create a bespoke package specific to a SEN transport role. Manuals outlining the key procedures related to the EA transport escort role are also in place.