Debate contribution: Special Educational Needs and Disability: Investment and Transformation

Debate contribution by Ms Kate Nicholl on 26 February 2024.

MLA

Ms Kate Nicholl

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

26 February 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Special Educational Needs and Disability: Investment and Transformation

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4231324

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed. Everyone has said that it is such an important topic. All the speeches were delivered with real feeling, so it has been a privilege to listen to them. I want to pay particular tribute to the SEN Reform NI parents, who are here, particularly my new friends Isla and Tom, and all the parents who are fighting, some of whom are in the Chamber. I first became aware of the extent of the issues in September, when I met parents who could not find places for their children to go to nursery and primary schools. I heard about that time and time again. My son was just starting nursery school, and I realised how unfair and how different it was for those parents. They told me that it is a constant fight and a battle, and Members have reiterated that today. The energy that parents should be putting into their child who has additional needs is being spent trying to fight the system, and that is wrong. My colleague Nick Mathison started by talking about how it is a priority for him as Chair of the Education Committee. It was made clear by all the members of that Committee how support for learners with special educational needs should be embedded in all schools. Nick Mathison recognised the end-to-end review and the ongoing work that is happening, but also the need for a clear action plan that will deliver reform. He said that there can be no more recommendations; parents have waited long enough. As we all know, they are so anxious about September. We keep hearing from parents who are really worried that they will have to go through that again. They are exhausted. I met a parent outside the Chamber who was in tears: that is what the system has driven them to, and they are already dealing with so much as it is. Nick Mathison also said that the crisis is now the norm, and that we have to invest in action. Robbie Butler spoke to the amendment and highlighted how parenting is not easy. He said that some young people and their families need additional support, and that there are more children who are not getting even adequate help. He talked about the education challenges and how most of them are fiscal, but did say that we get it right sometimes. He namechecked some brilliant schools, including Fleming Fulton School, Harberton Special School and Glenveagh School, as well as Mencap, which is doing fantastic work. He said that the capacity is there, but the ability to meet demand is not. I completely agree with the contention that the failure to have government has not improved things. When it comes to casework, we all support people in our day-to-day lives and we all see the human impact of the failing system. Robbie Butler also mentioned young people missing out on the first day of school, and he asked for a timeline for delivery. Pat Sheehan, the Deputy Chair of the Education Committee, talked about how every child has a human right to education and that, too often, that right is only partially upheld or not upheld at all. He related the very poignant case of a four-year-old who was out of school for six months, and was able to get a place only after his intervention as an MLA. That is shocking. He also highlighted how the Irish-medium sector suffers from a lack of special provision in Irish and the need for the review to take that into account. David Brooks made an excellent maiden speech; East Belfast can be as proud of him as he is of his constituency. He talked about his admiration for staff, who are too often in unfit buildings, and about the Minister's commitment to addressing that. The Minister has very graciously sat through the whole debate, and it is clear that he is committed. Cara Hunter used the words "angry" and "heartbreaking". Heartbreak has been a continual theme in the debate. She talked about her constituency and the challenges that people face, and how that is causing stress. She was also the first to talk about transport issues, which are a massive concern. She spoke about the long waiting list for allied health professionals and the lack of after-school provision. She thanked ADD-NI as well. Cathy Mason made another excellent maiden speech. I echo what the Minister said: your brother Peter would be very proud of you. You talked about the systemic failure and the need to get to grips with that and said that it is not just about funding but about policy and that there are issues within the EA and the SEN policies. Cheryl Brownlee very generously talked about how she is going through this, and it is a reminder of how this is impacting people. She spoke as an MLA and a parent, and she mentioned the need to invest in reform and how parental engagement is really key. She said that the process is complex and time-consuming and that we need a simpler way to deal with it. She also said that the number of tribunal cases shows that the initial assessment is flawed. My colleague Sian Mulholland focused on early intervention, which I was very glad to hear, the need for planning and how critical it is that children receive the support that they require in order to live their best life. She also said that there is an economic argument to this too, which we know, and that we should not be waiting until P1 to plan for a child's education journey; it needs to start earlier. She touched on health and the role of health visitors, and I saw that when I went to visit Sólás and Mencap. If the Minister ever wants to come with me to see those brilliant examples of amazing education and how the lack of a joined-up approach between Health and Education is really failing children, you will see that. In one pre-preschool classroom, the children have access to allied health professionals, and then they move next door into the preschool room and they have to go out. The community therapists in that building cannot help them; they have to go back out. It really needs a joined-up approach. That is loud and clear from the providers. I wrote so many notes. I need to turn over, sorry; there is a lot. Danny Baker then said "a battle a day" — that that is what parents say, that they are exhausted and that children deserve better. Again, he used the word "heartbreaking", talked about Alana's personal story, mentioned how early intervention is key and said how a cross-departmental approach is needed. He also referenced the Children's Law Centre's work, and that research was mentioned quite a few times by Members. He also talked about the critical impact of the underfunding. Diane Dodds mentioned the Minister's vision for all young people to be happy, learning and succeeding and that we need to measure that and take remedial action where we are failing. She welcomed the tone of inclusivity and compassion, and I echo that. I thought that the tone today was excellent and really hopeful, especially for the people who are listening in, but we cannot afford to go through the chaos that we had last year. It is just not acceptable. It cannot happen again. Again, it is not just Education; it is Health. My colleague Kellie Armstrong, who has been such a champion and inspiration in our party on these matters, reminded us to keep in mind equity. As chair of the all-party group, she has heard first-hand how we are failing young people. She focused on transition, mentioned the Children's Law Centre work and said that she is very concerned about the summer and how every child should find out at the same time what school they are going to. That just seems basic; of course they should. If you already feel like you are different or separate, then all these things add up and have an impact. It is complex. She wanted to know what learning is being taken. She said that use of the word "supernumerary" needs to stop because it is not child-centred. She said that the lack of after-school provision is an issue as well. She also wanted to clarify whether basic disability awareness is being brought in, and she thanked the key workers. Paul Frew said that it is not just about children but that the whole network and the whole family and community are being failed. He asked what we are going to do. He talked about heartbreaking cases in North Antrim and mentioned all the schools that are doing excellent work and how every child deserves an education. He said that children are not being placed because of their needs and that that is wrong. He also said that it should be in the Programme for Government. Daniel McCrossan said that this is critical and important but that it is not new and nothing we have not heard before. He said that it is something that the Education Committee and the PAC looked at, that we know what the issues are and that what we need is action. That is a clear message that came through today. He also said that we should listen to parents and teachers and that Departments are not working together, even though they need to. Justin McNulty welcomed the motion, acknowledged sterling work, mentioned the human impact of the failings here and said that reform is really needed. Gerry Carroll made the excellent point that, within three weeks, we had a protest. He talked about the Colin autism advice and support group. Nick and I went to meet that group today as well, and those representatives personally highlighted the torture of what they are going through. It is discrimination, he said. The Minister then spoke about how he is committed and thanked Members for their passion. He talked about early intervention and transition. He said that 63% of children with SEN do not have a statement. He said that the current estimated shortfall is 1,000 places but that additional places will be created. He said that improving the quality of education for children with SEND will be a priority. Tom Elliott made a much more succinct winding-up speech than the one that I am making. He shared that he has been through the process himself. Everyone has highlighted a really important issue. We are committed to taking action on this and working with the Minister. The Minister is committed to working across Departments. Hopefully, we will be able to see changes for children who really have been failed. They need the Assembly to step up. We can do that now.

1,819 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 09:43 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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