We have concerns about the processes around planning, communication with children, young people and their parents and of the joint working between different Government Departments at a much earlier stage. The Children’s Services Co-Operation (NI) Act 2015 should be utilised to its full potential in order to facilitate and entrench joint working. There is a lack of up to date, timely, and accurate data which hampers the ability to monitor and review the effectiveness of laws and services to children and young people.
Greater transparency and detail on how Health and Education are working together, including data sharing and consideration of workforce planning, to improve early intervention support for children with SEND would be welcome, and we would encourage the Committee to consider this as part of its Inquiry. Persistent barriers continue to exist in health, including in Autism and ADHD assessment waiting lists, which has significant impacts on the education of children with SEND, and timely access to SEND support.
Systematic reform must work towards enabling children’s needs to be identified at the earliest opportunity and investment in Early Years SEND must be prioritised, as well as ensuring that there is no ‘cliff edge’ and ensuring support exists as children and young people progress throughout their education. The voice of the child is often missing in discussions and overlooked within the policy and legislative process. Whilst we do recognise that there is a great deal of work and focus on transformation, which is welcome, NICCY considers that an inclusive education policy is central to achieving high-quality education for children and young people with SEND, without discrimination, and on an equal basis with others.
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