SEN Reform NI
@SENreformNI
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Parent led group advocating for equitable access, opportunity and dignity for children with SEN in NI. Our 2024 SEN Survey:
Northern Ireland
Joined June 2023
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Pinned Tweet
🎥 Full recording 👇 of SEN Reform NI's 'Lived Experiences Influencing Change' event at Stormont. 🙌 Thanks everyone for your dedication towards transforming SEN provision in NI. 🌟 Special thanks to
@FionaCole15
for her outstanding compèring at our event!
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Robin attended nursery for one hour today. This is supposed to be full time. There’s not enough staff to watch Robin. He can’t go to nursery the rest of this week. This is the reality of having an autistic child in Northern Ireland. Our children are being failed.
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The shortage of classroom assistants is a major barrier to expanding SEN capacity. Despite their vital role, CAs are vastly undervalued, earning just pennies above minimum wage. Pay & grading review for support staff must be prioritised
@paulgivan
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Thank you to all the MLAs who supported today’s SEN motion. You all spoke passionately & persuasively on behalf of children with SEN & their families. This is what politics is all about, making life better for ALL people in NI. We know the issues, now let’s see action
@paulgivan
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SEN Reform NI has sent this email to EA Senior Leaders, media, DoE & MLAs. Also enclosed was lived experiences of our members, which were quite frankly heartbreaking. We are calling upon the recipients to step up in relation to the crisis affecting our children.
#educationforall
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New NI Education Minister
@paulgivan
inherits a critical challenge: ensuring ALL children thrive, not just some. Past failures for SEN children can't be repeated. Equitable access to education should be the norm, not a fight. We need this Assembly to deliver for our children.
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@moneillsf
Michelle, this year many children with autism in NI won't get proper nursery/P1 places due to a shortfall of 1000 SEN school places. Chronic underfunding is a predominant factor. With SF in charge of finance, you are in a position to influence this. We need action, not words
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We agree! So how about prioritising the children with SEN who have no school place this year? What about their future?
Missing out on school means missing the opportunity to learn and develop and later in life, employment opportunities.
Going to school is important for your child's future - if they miss school, they're missing out.
Further info -
#MissSchoolMissOut
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Placing children with SEN into mainstream settings WITHOUT proper supports is not INCLUSION…it’s the opposite. We are hearing of multiple cases of children being excluded from activities because of this
@Ed_Authority
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SEN Reform NI has requested a meeting with Education Minister
@paulgivan
to discuss his plan for tackling the SEN crisis & ensuring quality education for ALL children. Our children deserve better - they cannot wait any longer!
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Very encouraging to hear
@moneillsf
and
@little_pengelly
highlight the need to deliver first class education for children with SEN today. You have clearly heard our message, now it’s time to deliver.
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8
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Thank you to
@NickDMathison
&
@allianceparty
colleagues for tabling a motion urging
@niassembly
and Education Minister
@paulgivan
to prioritise the needs of children with SEN. Investment and transformation are long overdue, but every journey begins with a single step👏👏👏
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9
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Interested in sharing your experience as a parent or carer of a child attending a Special Provision in Mainstream (SPiM) unit? Join our focus group, which will assist
@Education_NI
in working towards SPiM improvement. Email us at senreformni
@gmail
.com to express your interest.
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SEN crisis to be featured on BBC One NI
#SundayPolitics
@bbctheview
. Tune in at 10am tomorrow.
@MarkCarruthers7
A plan to provide places for pupils with Special Educational Needs in a County Tyrone school "needs to be actioned now", its principal has said.
He said provision was needed before it became "backs to the wall".
More on
#SundayPolitics
tomorrow.
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Congrats to
@NickDMathison
on his new role leading the Education Committee! Let's ensure SEN remains a top priority.
New Chair and Deputy Chairs of the Education Committee are:
Chairperson - Nick Mathison MLA (Alliance)
Deputy Chairperson - Pat Sheehan MLA (Sinn Féin)
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Today we met with Education Minister
@paulgivan
to discuss current SEN crisis in NI. The Minister was receptive to parental concerns and reiterated his commitment to prioritising SEN transformation. We look forward to continued engagement with
@Education_NI
on this critical issue
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6
29
3 days of strikes ahead, which will leave SEN children further behind & force parents to juggle jobs and caregiving. Support staff deserve fair pay-trained CAs earn just £11.79/hr, only 35p above the minimum wage, which is insulting to them and us. The situation is unsustainable.
School support staff at Education Authority to take strike action from next Monday
@paulgivan
@CArchibald_SF
@NickDMathison
Read here:
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Harberton Special School
@HarbertonFriend
welcomes their newest team member, Peggy the labradoodle! Huge congrats to Caleb White for his fantastic fundraising efforts to bring Peggy on board! 🐾
@mypivotlife
"Peggy helps me and my friends. Whenever we are sad, she makes us smile."
A pupil from a Belfast special school hiked two mountains in one day to raise money for a new mental health support dog
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The suggestion by
@Ed_Authority
that parents step in to cover SEN school strikes is truly astonishing! It undermines the work of striking staff, pits them against parents, raises safeguarding concerns, and fails to consider parents own work obligations for a start....
.
@Ed_Authority
has suggested parents and volunteers could stand in for striking staff at a special school in Belfast
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"Today we are aware of at least 400 children who are waiting to see where they will place, or if they will be placed at all" - they are why we fight!
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42 nursery children with special needs educated outside school settings due to funding cuts. At the age of 3, these children are already marginalised by the education system. Without sustainable and long-term funding this number will increase year on year.
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27
There is absolutely a SEN provision crisis in NI. Children with complex needs including Down syndrome (Trisomy21), cerebral palsy, autism are being denied their right to an education in NI. Parents/carers are exhausted by the constant fight…
Is there a crisis in special education provision here?
@Sarah_McKinley_
investigates. We'll also be joined by Rachel Hogan from the Childrens' Law Centre.
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This 3-year-old spends only 90 minutes a day in nursery, while their non-SEN peers stay for 4.5 hours. We’re seeing more and more cases like this every day.
@Ed_Authority
is failing these children. We must uncover the full extent of this issue.
‘It’s so wrong’ and ‘unfair’ – A mother on their fight to get support for son’s educational needs
🎧
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Parents of children in special schools just received notice of another round of strikes over the next 3 days. Our kids will be at home, while
@chhcalling
and
@duponline
sit on their hands. Please make a decision and let the rest of us get on with our lives
1
8
25
Thank you to
@NickDMathison
&
@allianceparty
colleagues for bringing the motion to prioritise SEN to the Assembly floor today. We are delighted that it was passed unanimously and hopefully will bring swift and tangible actions on behalf of children with SEN & their families.
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3
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Special educational needs campaigners take 'equality' case to Stormont
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Once again children with SEN and their families will be disproportionately affected by strike action as some special school are set to close for 8 days! That means no education AND no therapies. How much longer must we continue to suffer due lack of political leadership?
Ongoing industrial action in NI is disproportionately hurting special educational needs pupils, a mum has told BBC News
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"Special needs children deserve better than constant crisis"
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The SEN crisis in NI will be featured on
@ViewFrmStormont
UTV on Monday at 10.45pm
Will Northern Ireland feature at all at the Consrvative conference? We have an extended interview with the Secretary of State.
Plus, are we sleepwalking into a special needs crisis in our schools?
All of that plus more, Monday at 10:45PM on
@UTV
.
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Also worth noting that 4 of the 20
@Ed_Authority
board members were not present to vote and the chair abstained! Disappointing considering the significant impact this decision holds, particularly for children with SEN.
#TurnUp
Recent EA board meeting minutes reveal a slim majority in support of Education Minister's internal recruitment process proposal which resulted in appointment of new CEO
@MatthewOToole2
@ClaireHanna
@CaraHunterSDLP
@McCrossanMLA
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“The situation for our children with SEN has become, quite frankly, indescribable. We are drowning in action plans and reviews and yet a lack of apparent planning persists,” according to
@UTU_edu
General Secretary Jacquie White
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9
24
Education Minister
@paulgivan
states it's 'wholly unacceptable' for a child to wait 72 weeks for an SEN statement. While we value the sentiment, it’s still unclear what concrete steps will be taken to address this issue? Thanks
@NickDMathison
for Q
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7
22
Now that budget decisions are being made,
@niexecutive
needs to ensure children with SEN get the resources they deserve. No child should lack a school place.
@moneillsf
promised proper funding, now it’s time to deliver!
#SENfunding
Young people with special educational needs and their families must have access to properly funded and first class support services.
There is an urgent need for special educational needs services to be transformed, ensuring they cater for the individual needs of each young
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3
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Good news: All unions have suspended strike action on Monday. Unite has yet to cancel its strike on Tues, pending Monday's negotiations. Let’s hope
@paulgivan
& education officials seize this opportunity to negotiate a fair settlement for our hardworking education support workers
Trade unions have suspended planned strike action among non-teaching staff in NI schools next week.
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📢 Unveiling our 2024 Survey Report: "Lived Experiences Influencing Change" on parents' and carers' experiences with SEN in the NI education system. With 436 respondents, it’s our most thorough study yet. Thank you to all who participated! 🙏📚🔍
Link:
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13
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Appreciate
@NickDMathison
@allianceparty
's emphasis on the need for investment and reform in SEN education delivery. Our evidence, labeled a 'tough listen,' reveals the discomforting reality of children with SEN lacking equitable access to education in NI.
1
6
22
Ensuring every child receives an education tailored to their needs is a LEGAL obligation. Yet, chronic underfunding and systemic failures persist in NI, leaving many children with SEN without access to appropriate schooling.
#failedbythesystem
@paulgivan
3
10
22
While we welcome the return of the Assembly it will only last as long as both SF & DUP agree to share power. That is a very tenuous position as we all know. Rebuilding public services will require long term political stability. We desparately need reform to prevent....
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Many parents of children with disabilities in NI currently feel abandoned by the system. Our children find themselves in inadequate education settings, enduring years-long waiting lists for essential health checks, and receiving minimal if any social support.
0
5
20
The annual "SEN Hunger Games," as aptly described by a parent, has begun. Parents of children with SEN face another summer of anxiety as they battle for appropriate school placements. It's the same story, year after year.
#EducationForAll
Protest held at Education Authority over lack of school places for SEN children
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This is the harsh reality experienced by children with SEN and their families in NI. What sort of message does this send when this is acceptable year in, year out? It's discrimination, plain and simple.
One son had their mainstream school place confirmed yesterday, the other son still awaiting P1 SEN placement confirmation. They are equals in my eyes, why not yours
@Ed_Authority
@SENreformNI
@KateNicholl
@BelfastLive
@StephenNolan
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We knew things were bad, but this report reveals situation is beyond staggering. Spend per child pails in comparison to all other jurisdictions in UK. It's unacceptable. The ramifications of stop start governance are now painfully evident, & it’s our children who are suffering.
The number of children waiting for outpatient appointments has reached "an all-time high", a report by
@RCPCHtweets
has found.
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Please ‘Stand with Caleb’ and support the need for Post-19 SEN legislation in NI. A demonstration will be held at Stormont on Wednesday, June 19th to highlight the need for equitable educational opportunities for all young adults, regardless of disability.
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The Education Minister's confirmation of insufficient funding to address the pay and grading review for education support workers is very disappointing and exacerbates the already considerable challenges of delivering SEN education in NI.
Unite the Union has announced it is co-ordinating on strikes in after accusing the Finance Minister of failing to deliver a pay and grading review for school support staff.
➡️
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6
20
Cautiously optimistic about
@Education_NI
's new SEN Capital Programme which promises:
- Up to 8 new special schools within 10 years
- Upgrades & renovations for existing schools
- Integrated specialist classes in m'stream schools
- Additional funding for equipment & maintenance
Education Minister
@paulgivan
has announced a wide-ranging programme of significant and sustained capital investment for the development of school facilities to support children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) across Northern Ireland.
Read more -
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4
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Children with special educational needs are again last in line for school placements. It's time to prioritise SEN placements and ensure equitable access to education.
@Ed_Authority
@Education_NI
"He's asking me on a daily basis, a couple of times a day, have they got a school for him yet?" - Father speaks out about the lack of school place for his autistic son.
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Parents & supporters of SEN in NI.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Stormont is debating the future of SEN provision, but we need YOUR voice to make sure it's a priority.
Click link below to send a message to YOUR local MLAs urging them to invest in & reform SEN ed
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As the summer recess nears, it's disheartening that little progress has been made for SEN children. Despite promises, can politicians or education officials cite a single action that has tangibly improved the situation? We haven't seen it yet.
@paulgivan
2
9
19
Would be interesting to know what new CEO’s plans are to transform
@Ed_Authority
, an organisation described in 2022 Landscape review as ‘inward looking’, ‘defensive’ & ‘unwieldy’ which places more emphasis on processes than on the children it serves. Time for cultural change
The Board of the Education Authority (EA) has agreed to Education Minister
@paulgivan
's proposal to second Richard Pengelly to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from 15 April 2024.
For more information:
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What we learned from
@Education_NI
evidence session: Not a crisis (despite others saying so). 1000 new school places needed, but schools hesitant to come forward (prob due to staffing & resource issues).
@Education_NI
&
@healthdpt
lack coordination, & no End2End review timeline
More than 100 schools have refused to create new specialist classes for children with Special Educational Needs
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8
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Thanks to
@ChrisNICCY
, Rachel Hogan,
@ChildLawCentre
& colleagues for highlighting the realities of a failing SEND system at today's
@NIACfEd
meeting. The gap between where it is currently & where it needs to be, just to fulfill basic needs in some cases, is stark & unacceptable.
At the next meeting of the Committee for Education we will receive briefings from:
🔵
@nichildcom
, Chris Quinn NICCY
🔵
@ChildLawCentre
, the Children's Law Centre
🔵
@Education_NI
📅 6 March
⏰ 2pm
📄 Agenda - ()
📺 Watch Live - ()
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7
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Sólás plays a vital role in providing essential services for children with SEN, filling a critical gap in public services. Why should our children bear the brunt of yet another funding cut? No councillor with any integrity could support this decision.
@sinnfeinireland
@duponline
Powerful interventions from mothers of two children with special needs speaking on behalf of Sólás making a case for the overturning of the cut to proposing funding. Thanks to
@BBCMarkSimpson
@bbcradioulster
for raising the issue on Talkback.
0
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0
7
19
Former Perm Sec and Head of the NI Civil Service shares his vision for SEN. Has this man any SEN ed qualifications or any firsthand experience in a SEN classroom? Sounds exactly like the copy-and-paste civil servants that we meet. No real insight, just focused on cost cutting.
@Carolin55162028
The independent panel state there needs to be a significant switch from classroom assistants to teachers receiving training in SEN.
Emphasis on C/A being problematic, draining resources. Without appropriate levels of support children will suffer detrimental harm!
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19
Appalling views from Tory Councillors on children with SEN revealed. One even suggests past practices including institutionalisation were positive. This shows the importance of having locally elected MLAs making decisions for our children's well-being.
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A Tale of Two Children. Unfortunately a true story for many families in NI who have a child with learning difficulties or a disability. No adequate school placement causes anguish and it is discriminatory. We will not have our childrens’ right to education ignored.
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12
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Productive meeting with
@NIACfEd
this morning! Covered vital parent concerns including clarity on Sept 24 placements, transport, statementing, the necessity for comprehensive SEN data (e.g. no. unplaced / inappropriately placed children, tribunal stats and associated costs)..
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4
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The current situation for children with additional needs without a school placement is discriminatory. An injustice is being done to our young people, education should be accessible to everyone in our community.
149 children with SEN statements without a place for school in September.
We need answers from
@Education_NI
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9
17
Congratulations to all the staff
@Mencap_NI
on the official opening of your new Pre-School! Wishing you continued success with the vital work that you do supporting our children.
Today we celebrated the opening of our Mencap NI Pre-School in partnership with the
@Ed_Authority
🎉
Starting the day with inviting parents to share their stories of how having this service has had such a positive impact on their child and their family, followed by a visit to
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Please support
#CALEBSCAUSENI
campaign for post-19 SEN education in NI. 🙏 Thank you, Caleb and Alma, for your courageous fight to break down barriers for all young people with SEN in NI. 💪 Join the demonstration outside Stormont today (19th) from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. 🕥🏛️
Tomorrow is the big day. For parking, drive in main entrance, go thru check point say you're there for a demonstration. You can drive up hill to roundabout, there's a car park to the right. For accessibility/disabled access you can park along the path where we stand. See u soon!
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Encouraged by
@Economy_NI
Minister
@conormurphysf
's commitment to improving services for young adults with SEN in collaboration with families and providers. Looking forward to seeing meaningful action and progress on this critical issue.
#SENsupport
#Inclusion
.
@Economy_NI
Minister
@conormurphysf
has met Alma White
@mypivotlife
of
#CalebsCauseNI
to listen to concerns around provision for young people with special educational needs (SEN) beyond the age of 19.
The Minister said:
“Every young person should have the opportunity to fulfil
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9
20
Thank you to
@CommonsNIAC
for providing a platform for us to highlight the hurdles faced by parents of children with SEN in accessing suitable education places. We will continue to tirelessly campaign for our children and publicly hold
@Ed_Authority
to account for their failures.
0
2
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Listen our very own
@EmmaRoMoNI
’s interview on
@bbcradioulster
, where she responds to the former head of NI Civil Service's suggestion to reduce Classroom Assistant roles in SEN classes and have each SEN teacher manage 10 students alone, just because it’s cheaper!
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Parents of SEN children to highlight 'meltdown' in services at Westminster
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Parent interviewed says it all: ‘"It really has highlighted to me how differently my child has been treated and it shouldn't be like that. If my child didn't have a disability I would have known on 28 April where she was going’. Is this equality?
About 400 children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland are still waiting for a suitable school place for September.
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2
12
17
Recent EA board meeting minutes reveal a slim majority in support of Education Minister's internal recruitment process proposal which resulted in appointment of new CEO
@MatthewOToole2
@ClaireHanna
@CaraHunterSDLP
@McCrossanMLA
2
9
16
While most children receive school confirmations this week, SEN children will be once again at the back of the queue with additional classes only at early stages of planning. Looks like many SEN children may face delayed starts or entirely miss out on placements again this year
The Department of Education writes to all principals in Northern Ireland asking them to set up classes for children with special educational needs
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UK Government’s neglect of SEN children is clear, with weekly protests now nationwide.
@NIOgov
and
@chhcalling
control NI’s budget, leaving us at the mercy of politicians who don’t represent NI’s interests and show little concern for our children.
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We welcome
@danielbakersf
@sinnfeinireland
’s statement on the pressing need for SEN reform in NI. This should be a Day 1 priority for every party once the Assembly is back in session.
Young people with special educational needs and their families must have access to properly funded and first class support services.
There is an urgent need for special educational needs services to be transformed, ensuring they cater for the individual needs.
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This Wednesday, Nov 8th, SEN reform NI will be at Westminster presenting oral evidence to the NI Affairs Committee, sharing the real-life experiences of parents regarding SEN educational services in NI.
@BBCNewsNI
@BelfastLive
@BL_ConnorLynch
@robbeorn
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7
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Our SEN Reform NI Facebook group has grown to 1100+ members in just 4 months – truly incredible! Thank u to our dedicated supporters. We're passionate in our belief that change is possible, and the lived experience of parents & carers must be recognised. We are here to stay!
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Where is Harrison’s P1 school space
@Education_NI
@Ed_Authority
? The human right to an education and a statutory entitlement for all SEN children to have the needs specified in their statement met - both breached. Our children deserve better
#EducationForAll
Instead of getting ready to start his new school this year, Harrison is sitting at home yet again
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Parents still waiting for SEN nursery placements are questioning the figures presented on the
@BBCNolan
to
@HollyHNews
a quick count from messages in the last 24 hour, we have sixteen parents without a SEN nursery placement. How can there only be 10 in NI?
@Ed_Authority
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13
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Inspiring listening to our Committee member Laura at
@Mencap_NI
’s event at Stormont today, she spoke of embracing her child’s disability. That it is not a barrier for but the education system is.
Mencap leading the way as part of the solution to educational inequalities 👏
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“Children with special educational needs and disabilities deserve a high quality, child centred and cost-effective education which meets their individual needs”…The words of
@DEpermsec
@Education_NI
while simultaneously implementing tens of millions of £s in cuts to SEN services
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Join us tomorrow at 10AM for our "Lived Experiences Influencing Change" event at Stormont! Although in-person attendance is fully booked, you can still participate via Zoom 🤞that the tech cooperates! Link in the comments below. We look forward to your virtual presence! 🌟
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Back in 2020,
@Education_NI
spent £14K per child with a SEN statement in NI, compared to £29K in England. With rising SEN student numbers & no additional funding, it would be interesting to revisit these figures in 2024.
@paulgivan
@NickDMathison
@CArchibald_SF
The Department of Education spends £14,058 per year per child with a statement of special educational need in Northern Ireland compared with £29,000 in England.
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15
Recruitment of adequately trained SEN teachers & classroom assistants is key to tackling the current crisis. But, how can u expect to attract & retain educators when they are effectively taking a yearly pay cut, while teachers in rest of UK earn thousands more at the same grade?
There will be no pay rise for teachers in Northern Ireland despite an increase for their counterparts in England, the Department of Education confirms.
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The UK government's neglect of NI is alarming & underscores the need to protect the rights of the most vulnerable in society, especially children with SEN. These rights limit the governments power to decimate public services with their punitive budgets.
0
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Great to hear our Education Minister
@paulgivan
@duponline
list SEN support as a top priority for his department.👏
🚨Education Minister
@paulgivan
says his vision is making NI's "education system world-class."
🎤He told Political Reporter
@jamesgould23
his priorities are:
- Resolving industrial dispute
- Getting significant "capital investment"
- Provide more support to special education
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📢 Today, SEN Reform NI launched our survey "Lived Experiences Influencing Change" at Stormont! 🏛️
This word cloud captures the sentiments of parents navigating the SEN statementing process.
Your voice matters—help us drive change.
Full report here:
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We now have 15,800+ signatures calling for the reform of NI’s SEN system and a reversal of funding cuts. If you share our vision and haven’t signed our petition yet, please click on the link below. Reposts welcome also! Together, we can make a difference.
0
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Families of children with SEN brace for 3 days of disrupted schooling and therapies due to strikes, with more action planned in June. It's frustrating that our most vulnerable children continually bear the brunt of systemic inadequacies.
How will schools in Northern Ireland be affected by strikes - starting on Monday - involving thousands of non-teaching staff?
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Regrettable that
@belfastcc
plan to slash promised funding for Sólás, a local charity that supports children with additional needs, from £800K to £24K. The funding shift will be debated at council meeting on Mon eve - possibly an opportunity for reversal?
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Great to hear the Education Minister
@paulgivan
reiterate his commitment to SEN transformation. Now, let's move beyond words to action with concrete plans, investment and decisive steps forward that will truly make a difference to children with SEN and their families.
Education Minister
@paulgivan
has reaffirmed his commitment to transform the existing Special Educational Needs system in Northern Ireland.
Read more:
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How can
@Education_NI
seriously purport this message whilst standing idly by while children with SEN attend school for a fraction of the time compared to their non-SEN peers? By imposing discriminatory 23/24 budget cuts to SEN services
@Education_NI
is complicit in this injustice
Attending school every day is good in many ways. It is not only important for a child’s learning, but also for their wellbeing, empowerment and self-confidence.
Further info -
#MissSchoolMissOut
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Why is
@nidirect
’s 'free school meals' application process so complex for parents of SEN children with specialised diets? The bizarre requirement to "complete a form to request a paper form" adds needless barriers, while all other non-SEN FSM applications can be completed online.
Your child could be eligible to get free lunches or milk at school.
More information:
@Education_NI
@Ed_Authority
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A heartfelt thank you to all principals, teachers and CAs who like
@DDawson2020
put their heart into helping our children with SEN reached their full potential. You can see from this letter the care Diane has for her students. If only
@Ed_Authority
would put in the same effort.
Under a FOI request i wanted to see what the School have Asked the
@Education_NI
to do about sorting Aria’s Situation.
To say i was shocked at the difference in response between the school and the EA would be understatement.
i will let you make your mind up! 4 lines really?
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Is
@Ed_Authority
fit for purpose? Apparently not, according to our elected representatives, particularly in relation to SEN provision
#SENreformNeeded
"I don't think the Education Authority is fit for purpose."
DUP MLA
@PhillipBrett21
Does the DUP Education Minister agree?
@MarkCarruthers7
#BBCTheView
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Just released
@CommonsNIAC
report highlights the worrying state of SEN provision in NI. Persistent underinvestment has normalised the placement of children in unsuitable, ill-equipped mainstream settings & significant shortage of nursery places - all expected to worsen this year
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Tune into
@bbcnewsline
at 6.30pm to hear from one of parents speak about the impact of further cuts to an already overwhelmed SEN budget. Thank you to Dorothy for the courage to stand up for
#EducationForAll
👏
The amount of funding for special educational needs (SEN) in Northern Ireland is £65m less than what is needed this year, a report from the Department of Education says.
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Is one hour of school a day acceptable for any child in NI, especially those with SEN? Sadly, this has become an all too common story. The current state of SEN education here is a clear violation of national &international law, yet it persists. Who is accountable? No one it seems
@SENreformNI
@Ed_Authority
My grandson has a SEN. It clearly states he needs appropriately trained staff in an appropriate setting. He is eight years old and goes to his local state PS for ONE HOUR per day. This is all the school can or will provide. Would you be angry if it was your child? We are.
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Update from our recent meeting with Education Minister Paul Givan
@paulgivan
and representatives from the Department of Education
@Education_NI
concerning SEN provision in NI.
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Michelle, please show that u are sincere about becoming a ‘First Minister for ALL’ by committing to tackling the current SEN educational crisis head on. There are currently children with no nursery/P1 places a stones throw from
@sinnfeinireland
HQ
#EducationForAll
We are determined to form an Executive and better the lives of workers, families and all our communities.
The appetite for real change is flourishing across the island, and Sinn Féin has the ambition and vision to deliver that change.
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Despite at least 6 Independent reviews since 2009 underscoring the urgency for SEN reform, it's disheartening that 14 years later, that many of the same recommendations persist. SEN has simply never been prioritised by
@Ed_Authority
and now we a dealing with a full blown crisis.
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The crumbling of Public services, including SEN Education, in NI has become normalised. Yes,
@Ed_Authority
&
@Education_NI
are failing children with SEN for many years, but without REFORM and adequate funding we may be only seeing the tip of the iceberg
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🎙️ Calling all parents & guardians of children with SEN: please complete SEN Reform NI's short survey:
📅 On 17 June, we will present the lived experiences of SEN parents at Stormont.
Your input via the survey is vital for this important cause!
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“Children and young people with special educational needs bearing brunt of Stormont failure”
'Why should parents have to protest and petition for their child’s future?'
➡️
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The media in NI are asking important questions about pre-school for our children with special needs. The experts say early intervention is key, why is it nonexistent for so many children in our community that desperately need it?
Every child in NI is offered a funded part or full time pre-school place though it’s not statutory. Over 90% of children take that up.
But for those with Special Educational Needs getting a suitable pre school place can be difficult and uncertain.
Why should that be?
#education
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