Member's statement: Caleb's Cause NI
Member's statement by Mrs Michelle Guy on .
- MLA
- Mrs Michelle Guy
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 9 December 2025
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Caleb's Cause NI
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5295538
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Every MLA in the Chamber is aware of the Caleb's Cause NI campaign through the advocacy of Caleb's mum, Alma, but, at the recent session of the Disabled People's Parliament, Caleb spoke for himself. It was a powerful and moving moment when every one of us was asked to keep using our voices to support the cause of post-19 SEN reform. These are Caleb's words:
"My name is Caleb. I am 17 years old. When I get older, I want to be an inventor. When I leave special school, at 19, my options will be limited. I want a lifelong care plan to allow me to fulfil my potential and achieve my dreams. My friends and I, along with many others, want to be seen, heard and included in your world. We want laws to give us a future. We are human beings, just like you. Executive Ministers and Departments, you all can choose to help me and so many others in this mandate. My question is, will you?"
If Members have not watched that online clip of Caleb, they should. It really is a powerful moment when he looks up and asks that question. Investing in kids such as Caleb is not a waste of our time. They are not lost causes. We know that, if we invest in the right support at as early a stage as possible, they can thrive, contribute and inspire. As MLAs, we must keep advocating not just for them but with them. Let me assure you that Caleb's Cause will not stop until every one of our post-19 children is cared for.
269 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.03 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.77).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.06 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.01 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.03 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.77 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.03 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits | 1.00 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 14:07 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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