MLA appeals for help over SENCO school support

MLA appeals for help over SENCO school support

15 October 2025

SOUTH Down MLA Cathy Mason has appealed for immediate action to address the challenges facing Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) and the children  they support.

She made the call at last week’s meeting of Stormont’s Education Committee which she described as ““extremely frustrating”.

Mrs Mason said SENCOs and school staff are under enormous pressure, with the lack of support, resources and consideration for children with additional needs “simply unacceptable”.

She said that despite teachers, classroom assistants, principals, and parents coming together and advocating for their children, the Education Authority and Department of Education have “failed to listen and deliver the changes needed” to ensure every child is supported on their educational journey.

“Our school staff are doing phenomenal work, often without the time, training or staffing required to meet the growing needs of our pupils,” Mrs Mason declared.

“They are exhausted, undervalued and completely forgotten about and the children who depend on them are suffering as a result. That is not good enough. Our schools urgently need communication and support from the Department of Education and from the Education Authority.”

Mrs Mason, who is Sinn Féin’s Childcare and Early Years spokeswoman, reiterated her party’s commitment to prioritising Special Educational Needs.

“We need the Education Authority to wake up and get in touch with what is happening on the ground. We need real accountability and a system that puts children first and we will continue to hold the Education Authority and the Minister for Education to account and work to ensure that no child is left behind.”

The South Down MLA’s concern came ahead of a detailed Public Health Agency (PHA) report reviewing the population health needs of children with complex medical conditions attending Special Educational Needs schools across Northern Ireland.

Stormont health minister, Mike Nesbitt, said the report highlights “significant regional variations” in the provision of health care for children with complex needs in SEN schools.

“It is clear that further work is required to ensure equitable and timely access to appropriate healthcare services for all children,” he said, acknowledging the importance of addressing the 

findings and confirmed immediate action.

Mr Nesbitt said the report identifies a number of areas where immediate improvements are required and confirmed he has asked the Chief Nursing, Maria McIlgorm, to work closely with policy leads in the Department of Health and other key stakeholders to progress the report’s recommendations.

The review was commissioned in late 2024 and involved engagement with SEN school principals, parents, and other key stakeholders. 

It provides a detailed assessment of the healthcare challenges faced by pupils, the complexity of their needs, and the support systems required to deliver timely, child-specific care.