Despair as time runs out for SEN school leavers' law

Young people with special needs are being failed after Stormont ran out of time to change a law about post-school support, some parents have said.

Alma White, whose 18-year-old autistic son Caleb is about to leave school, said he was one of many who now "face that cliff edge with no plan".

Caroline Campbell's autistic son Oscar is also coming to the end of his time in his special school and she said: "My heart is broken at the thought of him being at home 24/7 with me for the rest of his life."

A statement of special educational needs (SEN) ends with school but in England, a care plan is in place until a young person reaches 25. The health minister said there was no legislative space.

Mike Nesbitt said there was not enough time between now and 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.

Ms White, who has campaigned for a change in the law in Northern Ireland, said: "I appreciate the honesty from the minister but it hurts deeply because more uncertainty looms."

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

However, this support ends when they leave school and parents and principals have warned that SEN school leavers face a "cliff edge" in provision for their future.

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.

There has, though, been criticism that some councils in England fail to provide the support set out in the plan.

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

Campaigners have previously demonstrated at Stormont over the issue.

Ms White, who set up the Caleb's Cause organisation. said she had been calling for change since her son was 16.

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

"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."

Ms Campbell's son Oscar has one more year of school.

"This is the final admittance by our government that he doesn't matter and he never will," she said. "My son deserves an equitable future. What about his potential?

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

Alliance assembly 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 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."