SEN homeschooling in Ireland requires keeping a record of your child’s education to show they are receiving a "certain minimum education." For children with additional needs, a portfolio is not a collection of school-like worksheets, but a quiet record of how they engage with the world on their own terms.
You are not falling behind
If you have just sent your Letter of Intent to Tusla, the pressure to "prove" you are doing enough can be overwhelming. This period is often best spent deschooling—letting your child's nervous system settle and observing how they learn without the stress of a classroom.
In Ireland, you are not required to follow the National Curriculum. You have the legal right to provide an education suited to your child’s age, ability, and aptitude. For a child with SEN, their "minimum" is defined by their individual capacity, not by a standard grade level.
What to include in a SEN portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of evidence that learning is happening. For children with PDA or high anxiety, traditional work may be non-existent. Documenting their days requires looking for the "quiet trail" of learning:
Photographs: Building a complex LEGO set (engineering/fine motor), baking (math/chemistry), or gardening (science).
Narrative logs: A note about a conversation you had after a documentary or a breakthrough in a social interaction.
Therapy progress: Improvements in Speech and Language (SLT) or Occupational Therapy (OT) goals count as education.
Interest-led projects: Any deep dive into a topic they love, from Minecraft to weather patterns.
Life skills: Progress in dressing, cooking, or managing their own sensory needs is a vital part of SEN education.
Preparing for a Tusla assessment
The Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) assesses home education to ensure it is suitable. You can provide copies of professional reports (Psychology, OT, or SLT) to help the assessor understand your child's baseline and why your approach is working.
The assessment is an opportunity to explain your child's unique style. You can highlight how home education has reduced their trauma or how a low-demand environment has allowed them to engage with subjects they previously avoided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to follow the Irish school curriculum?
No. There is no legal requirement to follow the National Curriculum. You decide what, when, and how your child learns. Your only obligation is to provide a "certain minimum education," which is defined relative to your child's specific needs and abilities.
What if my child refuses to do any formal work?
For many children with SEN or PDA, formal "work" is a trigger. Learning still happens through play, conversation, and hobbies. In your portfolio, record these as "Active Learning." Documentation of a child researching a video game is valid evidence of literacy, problem-solving, and research skills.
How much evidence do I need to keep?
You do not need to document every hour of every day. A few meaningful examples for each "subject area" or developmental goal every month is usually sufficient. Quality and consistency are more helpful for an assessor than a massive volume of repetitive worksheets.
Can I include progress in emotional regulation?
Yes. For many SEN families, emotional regulation is the foundation of all other learning. If your child is becoming better at identifying their triggers or using coping strategies, this is a significant educational achievement and should be noted in your records.
What happens if the assessor says my child is "behind"?
Assessors are required to judge the education based on the child's "ability and aptitude." If your child has a diagnosis or specific challenges, the assessor must take that into context. You are the expert on your child; your portfolio is your evidence of why your specific approach is the most suitable one for them.
Support and Resources
Connect with others: You don't have to do this in isolation. Talk to other parents navigating SEN homeschooling in Ireland.
Take a breath: If you are in the early stages, see resources for deschooling and parenting during this transition.
Learn more: Browse our blog page for more articles on SEN Homeschooling Ireland.