Education Minister Paul Givan has requested that the Education Authority (EA) review all possible options following growing concern over the cancellation of summer programmes for children with special educational needs.
MLAs are expected to be recalled during the Easter recess to address the situation.
The issue arises after the EA confirmed the schemes would be cancelled, citing worries around whether appropriate healthcare support could be provided for participating children.
In response, the Department of Health described the decision as “highly regrettable.”
The Assembly recall is understood to be scheduled for Tuesday.
Following a meeting with the Chief Executive of the EA, the Education Minister Paul Givan said: “Decisions regarding the operation of summer schemes in special schools rests with the Education Authority (EA). However, given the profound impact that the cancellation of these schemes will have on children, young people and their families, I have asked the EA to engage further with the Department of Health to review the position and to explore all possible avenues to provide summer schemes for as many children as possible. If the Department of Health can provide the necessary clinical and nursing support, the Education Authority has confirmed that it stands ready to deliver summer schemes this year. Further engagement will also be required with special school leaders.
“I recently met with the Health Minister, alongside school principals, to set out clearly that nursing provision is essential not only for summer schemes but across the full school year. Principals continue to manage complex medical issues in the absence of adequate specialist support and the withdrawal or limitation of these services has placed significant and unacceptable pressure on school leaders, staff and families.
“The Department of Education remains fully committed to working at pace with the EA, the Department of Health and school leaders to identify safe, sustainable and properly supported arrangements. Our shared objective is to ensure that children with the most complex needs are not left without vital support and that families have confidence in the services designed to assist them.”
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has today expressed his extreme concern at the proposed closure of summer schemes for children with special educational needs.
The Minister said: “I fully appreciate the importance of respite for parents and carers of children with special educational needs. It is also simply unthinkable that the young people themselves should lose out on the enjoyment of the summer school environment.
“I have therefore tasked the Permanent Secretary to urgently explore how a suitable and appropriate provision could be put in place.”
