Campaign launched for Knockevin music

Campaign launched for Knockevin music

12 February 2014

A CAMPAIGN to secure long term funding for music therapy for children with complex needs at Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick is underway.

The music therapy service at the school, which helps children communicate, socialise and unwind, has been under threat since the Department of Education withdrew its funding two years ago.

Since that time, parents and staff have struggled to maintain elements of the service through fundraising. Some parents have also benefited from a one-off funding package released by the Health and Social Care Board, although this service can only be accessed through a social worker.

Councillor Colin McGrath has vowed to help parents and staff associated with the school to lobby officials for secure long term funding for the scheme, which they believe is essential for the well-being and development of the special needs children in their care.

Mr. McGrath last week hand-delivered a letter to the chief executive of the Health and Social Care Board, John Compton, asking him to consider mainstream funding for the service.

The Board last year made £100,000 available across Northern Ireland that could be accessed for music therapy if children are referred by a social worker. Mr. McGrath hopes more money will be released specifically for Knockevin Special School, which caters for children with severe and profound learning difficulties from the age of three to 19.

He said the service was essential for children who may struggle to communicate and who can relax and communicate better through specialised music classes.

“I met with Mr. Compton, chief executive of the commissioning Health and Social Care Board of Northern Ireland, and asked that a sustainable funding stream be put in place for this service to remove the instability teachers and pupils face about the delivery of this service.

“I will also be meeting with the Minister for Health about this and hope that some certainty can be brought to this invaluable and necessary service,” he said.

“This school provides education for some of the most vulnerable and gifted young people in our community. The use of music therapy has long been rated as an excellent way of managing communication from children — some of whom would otherwise struggle to communicate.

“Such interventions give real learning and satisfaction to the children as well as some valuable interactions between children and their families and teachers and fellow pupils.

“The funding was passed from the Department of Education to the Department of Health a number of years ago and was later removed.

“Although the school has struggled to fundraise and draw down some limited funding for individual pupils, to keep the service in place for the past two years but has been successful however this money will run out in the next year.”