SDLP Foyle candidate and Communities spokesperson Mark H Durkan
The Education Authority stated that educational psychologist services at schools are under significant pressures given an unpredicted increase in demand.
Said the SDLP’s Foyle Assembly candidate: “Despite what the Education Authority has said, the rise in demand for these services isn’t unprecedented.
“It was forewarned over the course of the COVID pandemic and for months the number of children presenting at A&E experiencing a mental health crisis has skyrocketed.
“Referrals via hospital emergency departments to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) have risen by 24% since 2019-2020.
“Access to early intervention support via schools is important and would prevent escalating numbers of children and young people reaching crisis point.
“It is heart-breaking to learn that so many children and their families are left without the support they so desperately need.
“Importantly, the shortfall in educational psychologist support within schools will hit hardest for children with special educational needs (SEN), the most vulnerable demographic in our society who have already suffered the most over the course of the pandemic.
“The events of the last two years have no doubt resulted in increased demand for these services, however the situation was dire pre-2020.
“We knew soaring demand for children’s mental health services was coming down the line and it is completely unforgivable that plans were not put in place to prepare for this inevitable outcome.
“The year on year failure to invest in this service is also unforgivable.
“Protecting children who desperately require this support should and must be paramount. I’ve written to the Department of Education asking for urgent intervention to expand this provision.”
Tags: