Mar 2, 2025, NI, HelloRayo: Lisburn mum: NI faces SEN 'cliff edge'
There are fresh calls for legislation to secure post-19 Special Educational Needs provision across Northern Ireland.
In England, an education plan for young people with special needs after they leave school is a legal requirement.
There are no similar laws here.
Alma White's son Caleb is 17 and has autism and Special Educational Needs.
She tells us she is worried about his future, in the absence of a post-19 education plan:
"I am extremely concerned.
"I've worked in special schools I've worked in mainstream as a classroom assistant so there's a lot of young people that go through my mind quit often and I think about.
"It's hard not to lie awake at night and think what does the future hold?
"It's scary, it's a cliff edge, it really is."
When Caleb reached the age of 17 recently, Alma started to think more about his future and decided to investigate what provisions were in place.
“My sister lives in London and her son who is autistic and 22, receives specialist care so I foolishly assumed we would have the same kind of support in place in Northern Ireland.
"It was jolting to discover that there is very little in the way of specialist care available.
"We found out that when a statement of special educational needs ends, there is nothing to replace it.
“We’re lucky to have some wonderful charities who try and bridge the gap and we are thankful to them but it’s not their job, they’re already stretched."
Alma is campaigning to raise awareness around Post-19 SEN including her campaign called, Caleb's Cause NI. . . .
"My son and so many others matter.
"When Caleb was born I promised I would always protect him, that I would be his voice.
"He and so many others across Northern Ireland deserve more and that’s why I, and thousands like me, will never give up fighting for what’s right." . . .
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “The Minister for Education set out his key priorities for SEN reform to the Assembly on 13 January.
"He then published his SEN Reform Agenda and associated five-year Delivery Plan on 04 February 2025 following input from parents, practitioners and academics.
"The Delivery Plan sets out a wide range of actions proposed to transform SEN provision in Northern Ireland and to provide better support for children and young people with SEN.
"This includes specific actions in relation to transitions out of education into adulthood. "While responsibility for post-19 provision falls outside of the direct remit of the Department of Education, the Department will continue to work with the Department for the Economy and other key stakeholders on improving pathways for young people with SEN and/or disability.”
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