Departments must work together to support children with SEN – Sheehan

Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has called on the Department of Education and the Department of Health to work more closely to support children with special educational needs (SEN).

The party’s education spokesperson said:

“More and more children are being identified as having special educational needs, many of whom require complex support. These children deserve the best-available help, and that means both the education and health departments working together.

“Sinn Féin has been calling for better coordination between the two departments so children get the full support they need and deserve.

“A big concern is the shortage of allied health professionals. Shockingly, when I raised this issue, neither the Department of Education nor the Education Authority could say how many of these professional are required or indeed available now and in the future.

“We need a proper plan to meet rising demand, and it’s clear the working relationship between the education and health departments need a serious reset.

“I’ll keep pushing, along with my colleagues on the Education Committee, to make sure departments are held to account and children with SEN have the very best start in life.”