Delays in providing statements to special needs children in Northern Ireland have left families waiting more than a year.
An internal audit report has heavily criticised the performance of Northern Ireland’s Education Authority (EA).
Education Committee chair Chris Lyttle believes a full review of Northern Ireland’s EA is needed following a critical internal audit
The average wait in 2018-19 was 40 weeks, according to the BBC.
But one pupil has been waiting two years for extra support, a recent meeting of the Education Committee at the Northern Ireland Assembly heard.
In contrast, it is supposed to take 26 weeks to complete a statement of special needs, detailing help that has to be offered.
‘Failed to assess and support children’
Chris Lyttle is an Alliance Member of the Assembly and the chair of its Education Committee.
He said the EA has “systemically failed to assess and support children with SEN”.
Lyttle added: “The lack of communication from the EA to parents of pupils has characterised much of the statementing process.”
Education minister Peter Weir should order a “full review” of the EA, said Lyttle.
Whistleblower on BBC radio
EA chief executive Sara Long ordered the internal audit after a whistleblower raised concerns on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show.
Donna Allen is an assistant director at the EA. She told the Education Committee of inaccuracies in the way the EA recorded the start date for the process of creating statements.
She said the date a referral was received was “not the date that was recorded on the system”.
The internal audit report also raised concerns about the security of confidential information on special needs children.
Long has apologised for the “distress and worry” caused to families.
Autism Eye approached the Department for Education for a comment, but it did not respond.
Related:
- Northern Ireland funding ‘not enough’
- Commissioner slams support in N Ireland
- N Ireland schools ‘almost in crisis’
- Call for autism schools in N Ireland
- Radical N Ireland school plans blasted
- N Ireland pay hikes at top despite cuts
- Parents take action over N Ireland cuts
- Cuts hit ‘crucial help’ in N Ireland
- Parents defy dire services in N Ireland
- Huge increase in diagnosis in N Ireland
Published: 15 March 2020
