Knockevin parents score victory in nursery dispute

Knockevin parents score victory in nursery dispute

27 January 2016

EDUCATION officials have performed a dramatic u-turn over nursery provision for children with severe learning difficulties.

The Education Authority has backtracked on a decision to cut teaching hours for special needs children due to attend a new nursery unit at Knockevin Special School in Dundrum.

The move follows a campaign launched just before Christmas by parents who were angry that their children, some of whom are unable to speak, were being denied crucial early years intervention.

Families, who have been provided with a limited service for their children since September while awaiting the completion of the new campus, were aghast to learn that provision at the new facility would be almost halved when it opened in February.

They were devastated that full time provision would not be available despite the fact their children had been missed five months of education and therapies during their wait.

Several parents said they feared their children, many of whom are autistic, would be unable to recover time lost during their wait when many have not had access to physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

Warning that their children were being failed by the education system, they said it seemed unjust that they had missed out in months of schooling only to learn that the anticipated 4.5 hour day would be cut to 2.5 hours.

Following a meeting with education officials last week, parents said they were relieved to receive a letter confirming that full-time provision would be reinstated for the incoming class.

Downpatrick mum Marie Coyle, whose son Oisin is due to start the unit next week, said she was delighted with the result and believed parents had proven their power by maintaining a determined and dignified campaign on behalf of their children.

She said the turnaround by the Education Authority meant Oisin and his classmates would be given a “fair chance.”

She said full-time provision gave her hope that Oisin, who has global development delay, may soon say his first word.

“This could make the difference between Oisin speaking and not speaking at all,” she said.

“The past few weeks have been so stressful and has taken a lot out of me. I have been unable to sleep at times and the whole campaign has left little time during the day to do normal things.

“I only hope no other parent has to go through this and no families ever have to fight the way we have fought. It is frightening because it seems that if parents don’t have the fight in them their children might suffer.

“Parent power has proven to be amazing and has shown that if you keep going things can change.”

Saul mum Lisa Ross, whose son Bryn is also due to start the new nursery unit next week, welcomed the Education Authority’s move as a “complete relief.”

“After missing five months it will make a massive difference for them to have full-time placements as it will give them the opportunity to catch up,” she said.

“I am so relieved and excited for Bryn and happy about the support this will give us parents who just want to see our children progress.

“It is just a pity that it took so much energy, sleepless nights and even tears to get to this point. I felt like I was failing Bryn.

“It has been really stressful for everybody. All we want is what is right for our children and what they deserve.

“Parents pulled together for this. It was a very respectful campaign but we worked together as a team.”

Crossgar mum Lisa McCaskille, whose son Alfie will also attend the new unit, said she became sick due to the stress of the campaign but now felt like a “weight had been lifted off” her shoulders.

“Alfie has only had 39 hours of education since September, which is the equivalent of just two weeks and that was worrying,” she said.

“Most parents were at breaking point. I was thinking my poor child had missed out by losing months he will never catch up on. 

“This campaign was heartbreaking and so stressful for the whole family but the parents stuck together and the outcome was good.”

In a letter sent to parents on Friday, Gregory Butler, from the Education Authority, said their concerns about the adequacy of support pending the opening of the new unit had been heard.

“After considering the consistency of support, or otherwise that has been provided to date, the Education Authoriy has agreed to provide nursery provision in this particular situation, for 4.5 hours per day from February 1 to June,” he said.

“I must emphasise that the Education Authority is fully committed to working with parents in the best interests of their children.”

Mrs Ann Cooper, principal of Knockevin Special School, has welcomed news that full time provision would be available to the incoming nursery class.