Mother says post-19 care system is failing her son with complex needs in Northern Ireland

A Londonderry mother has said the care system is failing her son and others his age who have complex needs. Eoin Ward, 19, has Down's syndrome, autism and ADHD, and requires around-the-clock support to manage his condition. While he can be lively and full of fun, his mother, Suzy Ward, says his progress has historically depended on environments that are structured, age-appropriate and staffed by peers. Eoin finished at Knockavoe in Strabane in June, and since then his family says he has not received adequate ongoing support to meet his needs.

Ms Ward says she has seen what she describes as a regression since leaving school. She says the care offered since June has included a day placement arranged by the Western Health and Social Care Trust, but she believes the setting is ill-suited for Eoin. In her experience as a former specialist nurse, she says risk assessments are crucial; when she evaluated the offered setting, she judged it unsafe for him because activities could pose choking risks and because the age gap with other clients would place him in situations he could struggle to manage. "Eoin is with me, by my side, all day, all night," she said, adding that the arrangement has taken a toll on her mental health. She recalled that during school there were times she could take a break, meet a friend for coffee or simply step away for a moment. Now she cannot.

Ms Ward has called on politicians to enshrine a post-19 system in law that would guarantee the needs of young adults with complex needs are met. "I think the system is broken and I think the system needs to change," she said. "They need to put more funding and more resources into the system for young people with learning disabilities. I really do feel we need post-19 legislation like they have in other parts of the UK." In England, there is a statutory education plan for young people with special needs after they leave school until the age of 25, a framework that does not exist in Northern Ireland.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust acknowledged the challenges facing young people with learning disabilities and their families as they transition to adult services. It said careful consideration is given to each individual by a multidisciplinary team and that, following assessment, care plans are created to best fit the person within the current services and funding available. The trust added that it cannot comment on individuals due to patient confidentiality but said it continues to engage with the Ward family and is aware of their concerns.

Health authorities say transition planning must be early and coordinated, with a focus on family involvement. They also note that funding limitations complicate access to suitable post-19 services and that improvements require sustained investment and policy reform. The case presented by Suzy Ward is part of a broader conversation about how Northern Ireland supports young people with learning disabilities as they move from school into adulthood, and how to align services with the needs of those who require continuous, comprehensive care.