SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
Mr Durkan said the exponential increase in demand, a 36% increase in SEN statements just nine years, requires an urgent overhaul of SEN services and processes.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The NIAO report on Special Educational Needs, reads as a litany of failures- painting a picture of services hamstrung by a colossal lack of resources and delays.
“It is incomprehensible and indefensible, that a review of SEN undertaken by the Department for Health in 2007, has still not been completed.
“Meanwhile thousands of children and their families, are struggling without the additional support they so desperately need.
“At the beginning of the month, I wrote to Health Minister Swann calling for increased SEN investment to help families and individuals navigate the impact of the pandemic.
“That said it is now clear that a complete overhaul of SEN services and processes is required.
“The report highlights 5.5% of the school population have a statement for SEN, that is significantly higher than the Department’s predicted 3%.
“However, the likelihood is that this figure is much higher, when taking into consideration the huge numbers on assessment waiting lists.
“It is clear the current model is not fit for purpose.
“Unfortunately, it has been the case for many families that the continued difficulty in obtaining fitting and appropriate Special Educational support, has been to the detriment of their child’s learning and development.
“It is heart-breaking and indeed frustrating, to hear of children struggling in a class of their peers without the help they need.
“It is even more frustrating to see report after report, highlighting deterioration in the delivery of SEN services.”
Mr Durkan added: “The system is crying out for long-overdue transformation and that can only happen when it is adequately resourced.
“Addressing the spiralling costs detailed in this report, begins with early intervention and early diagnosis.
“Questions need to be asked as to why this trend of disintegration was allowed to happen.
“An urgent evaluation of the existing SEN framework and investment is required.
“The pandemic has posed an added burden on services already struggling to keep their head above water.
“This is not about a recovery plan, this calls for a complete overhaul for a system evidently in chaos. No child should be left behind when it comes to education.”
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