SEN support tops agenda during Stormont debate

SEN support tops agenda during Stormont debate

15 May 2024

INCREASING pressure on special needs education across the district has topped the agenda during a Stormont debate.

The issue was raised with Education Minister Paul Givan by South Down MLA Cathy Mason during an adjournment debate.

It came after recent confirmation that children in Downpatrick and the wider constituency are under the greatest pressure in special education needs provision.

Mrs Mason described the situation as “deeply concerning” and claimed many young people were not getting the vital support they need. 

She said too many children were being failed by the current system.

She said she brought the adjournment debate to give a voice to young people with special education needs, their families and schools.

And she said that despite the challenging circumstances many young people find themselves in, she is inspired by examples of outstanding special educational needs provision across South Down.

She paid particular tribute to classroom assistants “not yet getting the pay and conditions they deserve” but who turn up every day to care for some of the most vulnerable children. 

“These professionals must be properly valued and they must get the fair pay they are entitled to,” Mrs Mason declared.

“In schools like St Malachy’s Primary in Castlewellan, with its dedicated learning support unit where exceptional staff deliver amazing results for children, or those in St Brigid’s and Our Lady and St Patrick’s in Downpatrick who have shown fantastic leadership with the specialist provisions.

“And of course in Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick which was recently given the green light for a much-needed new build.”

Mrs Mason said those schools, like many others in South Down, were going “above and beyond” for children and young people, but were under relentless pressure. 

“The current approach is clearly not working for families or schools,” she declared.

“In recent years, families have faced an anxious wait for a school placement right up to the start of term, and in the worst cases, beyond this.”

Mrs Mason added: “The Education Minister must do more to support these schools to ensure that young people with special educational needs in South Down and their families have access to properly funded and first-class support services.”

Several weeks ago, Mr Givan gave the go-ahead for Knockevin’s new school. It currently operates on three sites in Downpatrick, Castlewellan and Dundrum.