Parents of young children with complex needs have expressed frustration over a continued lack of communication from the Education Authority over their future.
Over 800 children with special needs in Northern Ireland have still not found out whether or not they will have a place in nursery or primary school next year, with many parents saying they have been left "frustrated and disappointed" by the lack of communication from the Education Authority.
It comes after an emergency meeting was held with parents, politicians and the EA on Monday in Stormont, where parents were told they would be contacted this week about their children's future.
Read more: SEN children 'have school places withdrawn' as emergency meeting called at Stormont
While some parents have been offered places this week, others have said that they are still in the dark and have had no communication from the EA despite numerous attempts to contact their link officers.
As a result, parents have formed a group that will allow them to stand together as they seek solutions for the issues impacting their children in the hopes that plans can be put in place to ensure that problems with school places do not happen again.
Natalie Peeples is one of the parents involved in the group and said that the aim of it is to present a united front to the Education Authority.
Her son Spencer is yet to have a place secured in nursery school for next year and she is concerned that this could have a negative impact on his development if he is unable to get a place in education.
Natalie said: "As parents we are all so frustrated at the lack of communication that we have received regarding our children's future and it is a disgrace that we are left in the position, not knowing whether or not they will have a place in nursery or school next year.
"Mainstream children have found out what schools they are going to attend months ago, while children with complex or additional needs have been completely left in the dark.
"It feels like a complete lack of respect towards our children and us as parents and it is not right that we have been left in this position.
"This week my son graduated from the Mencap pre-school, which is for early years children, but instead of it being a joyous celebration of how far he has come, all I could think about was my worries about what lies ahead for him because if we are having these problems with nursery, what will it be like when we are trying to get him a place in school?
"As parents we have now formed a group so that we are able to stand together against the Education Authority and continue fighting for our children's education because plans need to be put in place to ensure that this will never happen again."
Jessica Manley said that last year her son Oliver was unable to secure a place in nursery school and feared that he would not be able to start primary one, after being told that there were no places available for him.
However, on Thursday morning she was informed that he had a place available at a school.
She said: "Last year we did all that we could to get Oliver a place in nursery but sadly this wasn't available for him and I was very concerned about how he would develop without that support.
"This year we felt that the same thing was going to happen after being told earlier this week that he would not have a place in primary school and felt very frustrated over the lack of communication from the Education Authority.
"Thankfully, we were told on Thursday morning that he would have a place in school, which we are grateful for, but this is not something that children and parents should be going through year after year.
"Our children are some of the most vulnerable in Northern Ireland and deserve to be treated the same as any other child."
Una Turbitt, Interim Director for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “We absolutely recognise that this is an extremely anxious time for those parents and children waiting for the confirmation of a school place. All children with statements are equally entitled to a place which is appropriate to meet their needs.
“We would like to reassure parents that those children with profound special educational and medical needs will still be offered a special school place.
“The (SEN) placement process for Primary 7 pupils is reaching conclusion with the majority of pupils already placed. Families still awaiting confirmation of placement will be contacted during the week commencing 26th June 2023.
“In identified areas of high demand, the focus is now on the placement of Primary 1 pupils requiring a special school place. Consequently, this may mean that some special schools in the areas with the greatest pressure will have a reduced nursery intake this year and more Pre-School pupils offered alternative supported provision in other settings. This could be in a specialist class within a mainstream setting or in a mainstream class with a package of support that ensures their needs are fully met. Please be assured that we are working to ensure that all Pre-School children with SEN will still be offered a place which provides the additional support they need to maximise the potential of their pre-school year.
“Parents of children who are undergoing statutory assessment and have applied through the Open Enrolment Process for a Mainstream School placement are advised to accept their Mainstream offer whilst their statutory assessment process continues. We will then engage directly with the families involved to discuss all the options available and identify an appropriate placement for each child.
“The EA is working to ensure all children will be placed appropriately as soon as possible and fully understands the importance of keeping parents informed of progress regarding their child’s school placement. SEN Link Officers will be in contact with all parents of pupils awaiting placement by the week beginning 26th June 2023 at the latest. If you have not been contacted by Friday 30th June 17.00, please email your SEN Link Officer directly on Monday 3rd July 2023 or call the SEN Helpdesk on 028 9598 5960 where staff will be available to help you.
“I want to acknowledge the patience and understanding of the families impacted and the support being provided by school principals in this very challenging situation. We will do everything possible to ensure all children are placed with the support that they need to be happy, learning and succeeding.”
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