Parents protest at Stormont over shortages in special educational needs services
Families say lack of daycare and respite for children with special educational needs leaves carers trapped at home as ministers outline a long-term funding plan
Around 50 parents and children protested outside Northern Ireland’s Stormont on Monday, pressing political leaders to act on what they described as an acute shortage of services for children with special educational needs (SEN).
Protesters converged as assembly members returned from the summer recess to highlight long waiting lists for daycare, limited respite provision and difficulties transitioning young people into adult services. Several parents told BBC News NI they felt isolated and unable to leave their homes because there was nowhere suitable for their children to attend during the day.
Suzy Ward said her son Eoyn was now at home full time and that she did not get a break from caring. "I really feel that we need opportunities and respite and support," she said. "It's so difficult. There's days where we are both at home and I feel like a prisoner."
Sheena McCann, whose 17-year-old son Joe is in the process of moving into adult care services, said the family had been offered only a few hours at a day centre on two days each week. "In our case we are getting two days in the day centre for a few hours and that's not going to work - he needs the same place to go to for consecutive days," she said. "Ten years ago you would have got five days and transport, everyone is being failed here."
Tina Henderson, a single mother, said she received no sustained support and had managed only four hours of respite over the summer. "I dread the future of being just stuck in the house," she said, adding that it was hard for her son to adjust to new places and that politicians did not understand because "they aren't in our world."
Education Minister Paul Givan acknowledged the sector faced "real challenges" and said a plan had been "mapped out" to address deficiencies in the SEN school estate. He said he intended to establish a "flagship" capital programme and would require support from other parties. Mr Givan told BBC News NI he had met the finance minister and outlined an ask of £1.7 billion over the next 10 years to deliver the planned improvements.
Northern Ireland has about 70,000 pupils recorded as having special educational needs, and roughly 29,000 have a formal statement specifying the support they should receive. A statement of SEN in Northern Ireland ends when a child leaves school, in contrast with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) in England, which can extend to age 25. Recent reforms in Wales and Scotland have sought to improve transitions from school for young people with SEN.
The Department for the Economy has estimated a 134% rise in demand for SEN services in Northern Ireland over the past two decades. Parents and advocacy groups say that growth, coupled with constrained funding and limited capacity in specialist settings and day services, has created gaps in provision that leave families without predictable respite or suitable daytime placements.
Campaigners at the protest called for immediate increases in respite and day-care provision, clearer transition pathways into adult services and more consistent transport arrangements. Assembly debates this term are expected to include discussion of capital investment and service reform as ministers seek cross-party backing for the proposed multi-year programme.
