Lisburn mum says teenage son with complex special needs faces uncertain future when he leaves school

A Lisburn mum says she fears for her teenage son's future when he leaves school due to the lack of legislation in place for post-19 students with special educational needs (SEN) in Northern Ireland.

Alma White's son Caleb, 16, who has autism, ADHD and sensory and learning difficulties attends Harberton North Special School.

Unlike England, Northern Ireland has no legislation in place to protect post-19 special educational needs (SEN) pupils and that's something which Caleb's family wants to change.

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In Northern Ireland, a statement of educational needs stops at 19 year of age and there is nothing to replace it. In contrast in England, when a young person reaches 19 they are entitled to an Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan, which is put in place until they are 25 (under the Children and Families Act 2014, which was extended).

This specifies the support needed and the outcomes the young person would like to achieve. In England, a young person can express a preference for a specialist Further Education College, which is then stated in their EHC plan.

Also in England, some organisations currently offer apprenticeships and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) for children leaving school at 19 but again these are not widely on offer in NI.

While there are some opportunities available here through local charities such as work experience or supported jobs in the hospitality or retail sectors, these are limited in number with high demand.

Alma and her husband Alistair also have two daughters, Lauren, aged 17 and 14-year-old Emma, both in mainstream education and who have the option to go on to university, further education or enter the job market after they leave school.

In contrast, Caleb has fewer options open to him in terms of further education or employment and Alma says more options need to be put in place for SEN children once they leave school.

She told Belfast Live: "Not every child fits into the boxes that are currently available and that's not to put down any of the charities in terms of what they offer as I'm very supportive of what they do.

"Wonderful charities such as Orchardville, NOW and Stepping Stones try to fill the gap, but unfortunately they can't meet demand as there aren't enough places.

"These charities do their very best and without them we would have nothing. The situation is only going to get worse as the years go on and the number of young people with needs increases.

"Caleb has communication and complex needs. He needs full support in any environment, but we have seen how much he can achieve when the right support is in place."

After extending its campus in 2021, Harberton Special School was able to provide further spaces for older children like Caleb up to 19 years old.

"Harberton has really changed Caleb's life and they will do their best to find something for him but they can't magic things up as there's no legislation," his mum added.

An independent review of Northern Ireland's education system, published last December, called for more education, training and employment support for young people with SEN and said that many young people like Caleb face "particular difficulties at the point of leaving school and embarking upon adult life".

Alma added: "The most recent independent review of education clearly states that no change is likely to happen unless legislation is put in place, hence why we in Northern Ireland desperately need this as a matter of urgency.

"Post-19 provision is very limited, and without legislation we face a very steep cliff-edge drop in opportunities for our young people with disabilities once they leave school. Mainstream pupils have access to university and further education courses, depending on their preference and academic ability.

"My daughters have a range of subjects to choose from and a pathway to a bright and successful career. Sadly the most vulnerable in society, like Caleb, have very few options for further education and work. Caleb needs legislation to protect his future and the future of his friends.

"Why shouldn't young people with SEN have the same rights to an education as other mainstream pupils beyond the age of 19? England has legislation that gives young people access to work, college and apprenticeships. In Northern Ireland there is no such obligation to provide education from 19-25 years.

"Parents are often left to search alone for appropriate provision that simply doesn't exist and I know I have a massive mountain to climb to make this happen. I care about all of these children and what their life might be when they grow up otherwise what's going to happen to them?"

Alma has launched an online petition to help create new legislation for Post-19 SEN Northern Ireland, which she says would make a massive difference to the lives of so many young adults with a disability.

She added: "Now more than ever we need to act. This needs to come into force so that young SEN school leavers have every opportunity to fulfil their potential, have equality recognised and not be discriminated against. I am Caleb's mum and I will keep fighting for him and every other young person who has a right to Further Education."

In response, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “Clear and appropriate pathways for young people moving from education into adulthood is a key theme within the End to End Review of Special Educational Needs.

“We recently conducted a survey of practitioners and parents to better understand their experience of the current process and seek their views on potential solutions for the future.

“We will continue to engage directly with practitioners, parents and young people who are going through or have gone through the transitions process to help inform recommendations on how we can improve pathways for young people with SEN.”

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