Parents Notify 2026: What Irish Schools Should Know for September 2027
NCSE Parents Notify is open for September 2027 special-class and special-school placements. Check the deadlines, documents, and practical points for schools.
The NCSE Parents Notify process is open for families seeking a new special-class or special-school placement for September 2027.
The main form deadline is 1 September 2026. Supporting documents can follow by 15 September 2026, or as soon as possible afterwards if they are not yet available.
For schools, the practical message is simple: know what the process covers, respond carefully if a family asks for records, and avoid presenting Parents Notify as a school application.
Warning
Parents Notify is not a school application
Parents and guardians must still apply directly to the school or schools they wish their child to attend. Schools make admission decisions under their own admissions policies.
Who Parents Notify Is For
The process is for a parent or guardian seeking a new special-class or special-school placement for their child for the 2027/28 school year.
The NCSE uses the information to review eligibility and understand where placements may be needed. A local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) reviews the information and contacts the family if anything further is required.
Read the official NCSE Parents Notify guidance
Check the current process, form, deadlines, and SENO contact route on the NCSE website.
The Two Dates to Know
| Item | NCSE date |
|---|---|
| Complete the Parents Notify online form | 1 September 2026 |
| Submit professional reports and supporting documents | 15 September 2026, or as soon as possible afterwards |
The NCSE advises families to submit the form by 1 September even when some supporting documentation is not yet available. The local SENO can follow up after submission.
Information the NCSE Lists
The official Parents Notify page asks families to have the following information ready:
| Personal information | Supporting information |
|---|---|
| Child's PPS Number | Relevant professional report or reports |
| Date of birth | Student Support Plan, if available |
| Home address and Eircode | Any other supporting documents requested through the process |
The words if available matter. The NCSE page does not say that every family must produce a Student Support Plan before submitting the form.
Note
No new SENScribe requirement
Parents Notify does not require a family or school to use SENScribe. SENScribe is an independent software service and is not endorsed by the NCSE or Department of Education and Youth.
What Happens After Submission
The local SENO reviews the information and documents. According to the NCSE, the SENO may ask for more information, discuss the eligibility criteria, provide information about local placement options, and write to the family with the outcome.
When eligibility is confirmed, the family receives a Letter of Eligibility. That letter forms part of applying to a special class or special school, but it does not replace the school's own application and admissions process.
A Practical Checklist for Schools
The following is a SENScribe practical checklist, not an additional NCSE requirement.
| Check | Practical action |
|---|---|
| Current plan | Confirm which Student Support Plan is the current agreed version |
| Review record | Check that recent progress, evidence, and next steps are recorded clearly |
| Parent request | Follow the school's normal process when a parent or guardian requests a copy |
| Secure sharing | Use an approved, secure method for sensitive student information |
| Scope | Do not advise that the plan guarantees eligibility, placement, admission, or resources |
Schools should direct questions about eligibility or the Parents Notify form to the family's local SENO.
Where SENScribe Can Help
SENScribe can help a school team organise teacher observations, parent input, student voice, targets, and review information into a structured draft Student Support Plan.
Teachers can review and edit the draft, download a formatted PDF, or share the plan securely with parents through the school's agreed workflow. Those features support school documentation. They do not determine NCSE eligibility or a school's admissions decision.
See the SENScribe review, export, and sharing workflow
Learn how schools can review drafts, export PDFs, and share plans securely with parents.
Official Sources
- NCSE Parents Notify: Special Class/Special School Placement
- NCSE Parents Notify for September 2027 update, 7 July 2026
- Find your local SENO
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Parents Notify deadline for September 2027 placements?
Parents and guardians should complete the NCSE online form by 1 September 2026. Supporting reports and documents can be provided by 15 September 2026, or as soon as possible afterwards if they are not yet available.
Is Parents Notify an application to a school?
No. Parents and guardians must apply directly to the school or schools they wish their child to attend. Each school makes admission decisions under its admissions policy.
Is a Student Support Plan mandatory for the Parents Notify form?
The NCSE lists a Student Support Plan if available among the information a family may need. Its official update also advises families to submit the form by 1 September even if supporting documents are not yet available.
Does using SENScribe improve a child's eligibility or placement chances?
No. SENScribe helps schools draft, review, export, and securely share Student Support Plans. The NCSE and the relevant school make eligibility and admission decisions through their own processes.