Published
Droichead is the integrated professional induction framework for Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) and plays a central role in the continuum of teacher education, supporting teachers as they transition from initial teacher education into the profession.
The Teaching Council commenced a review of Droichead in 2023 as part of its commitment to periodic policy review and its statutory role as the regulator of the teaching profession. The review was undertaken to ensure that Droichead continues to provide effective, support for newly qualified teachers during the induction phase, while responding to changes across the education system and the increasingly diverse contexts in which teachers work.
The review was informed by research and quality assurance findings, including commissioned research on Droichead (DEEPEN) and insights from Droichead quality assurance process cycles. These showed that Droichead was fulfilling its purpose as an integrated induction framework, while also highlighting areas where greater clarity, consistency and alignment were required.
A series of data collection stages and stakeholder consultations were carried out during 2024. These included structured interviews with key education stakeholders across the primary and post-primary sectors, including school leadership and management bodies, teacher unions, education support services, the Department of Education and Youth, and the Inspectorate. In parallel, a national survey of NQTs was facilitated by Oide, gathering feedback on NQTs’ experiences of cluster meetings and their impact on professional learning and classroom practice. The survey recorded high levels of engagement from both primary and post-primary teachers.
Building on this, a series of focus groups was held between April and June 2024 with a wide range of stakeholders, including NQTs, members of Professional Support Teams, Higher Education Institutions, school management bodies and education partners. These focus groups explored key issues in greater depth and reflected the range of school settings and professional experiences across the system.
In early 2025, a further phase of focused stakeholder consultation took place to sense-check the emerging themes and inform the final stages of the review.
The review of Droichead was completed in March 2025, and the revised Droichead Policy has now been published. The revised policy reflects the outcomes of this comprehensive review process, while retaining Droichead’s core characteristics as a non-evaluative, supportive framework grounded in reflective and collaborative practice.
The revised Droichead Policy will come into effect from 1 September 2026.
The Teaching Council acknowledges and thanks all those who contributed to the review process. Their engagement has played an important role in shaping the revised policy and in strengthening the supports available to newly qualified teachers at this important stage of their professional journey.
For further information on the changes to Droichead please see: