SEN parents 'devastated' as time runs out for school leavers' law

Some parents of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) have said they are "devastated" there is not enough time at Stormont to change the law to mandate support for them when they leave school.

The Health Minister Mike Nesbitt told assembly members that "we have run out of time" to change the law before the next election.

Alma White, whose 18-year-old autistic son Caleb is about to leave school, said young people with SEN were "being failed".

"I appreciate the honesty from the minister of health but it hurts deeply because more uncertainty looms," she told BBC News NI.

Nesbitt said the law cannot be changed due to purdah, which is a period in the run up to an election when no new ministerial policies can be introduced.

The next assembly elections are due by May 2027.

SEN pupils face a 'cliff edge'

In Northern Ireland, a statement of SEN - which is a legal document - sets out what support a child should receive at school from education providers.

In England, an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) is in place until a young person reaches the age of 25, detailing the help SEN school leavers should receive.

But in Northern Ireland, EHCPs do not exist and the support mandated by a young person's SEN statement ends with their school education.

Some parents have campaigned to change the law in Northern Ireland, including Alma White who set up the Caleb's Cause organisation.

'So many in NI are being failed'

Ms White said she had been calling for change since Caleb was 16.

"Instead of our government tackling the systemic failures Caleb and so many others now face that cliff edge with no plan," she said.

"For all the young people this will affect I am so sorry I couldn't do more.

"As Caleb's mum I have held out hope that this would be done in this mandate, I believed the evidence and facts were enough.

"The current legislation is 48 years old and I am asking for an update."

She added: "How many more years will we have to wait till this happens?

"Where is the equity of choice and equality of human rights?

"Caleb and so many others all over NI are being failed and our executive are knowingly allowing this to continue."

'My son deserves an equitable future'

Caroline Campbell's autistic son Oscar is coming to the end of his time in his special school.

"Oscar has one more year of school, and laws to protect him, in his life," she said.

"This is the final admittance by our government that he doesn't matter and he never will. My son deserves an equitable future.

"My heart is broken at the thought of him being at home 24/7 with me for the rest of his life. What about his potential?" Ms Campbell added.

"He deserves choices, and a change in legislation is the only way he will ever truly have them."

'Not ignoring the issues'

The Alliance MLA Nick Mathison had asked Nesbitt during an assembly plenary if he was planning to introduce care and support plans for pupils with SEN when they leave school.

Mathison said that many parents were concerned about their children "losing the protection of their statement of Special Educational Needs" after their school career ended.

"I am not considering legislation within this mandate because I think we have run out of time," Nesbitt replied.

"There are several pieces of legislation I would love to see brought through between now and purdah in March 2027.

"That would be one of them and we are certainly not ignoring the issues.

"But I cannot stand here and be untruthful with the member.

"There is no plan because we are being told that there is no legislative space between now and purdah."