The Education Authority’s (EA) decision to suspend summer schemes at special needs schools has been branded as “nothing short of disgraceful”.
The admonishment came from Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party, Eoin Tennyson, upon learning of the Authority’s announcement on March 26.
In that announcement, the EA seemed to blame the Department of Health for the inadequacy of health care provision for vulnerable participating children, and thus, it made the decision to suspend services “solely on safety grounds”.
Said the EA: “We deeply regret it and fully understand that it will be very distressing for children and parents. The Education Authority has engaged repeatedly with the Department of Health over several months in an attempt to avoid this situation.
“We have made clear that on-site nursing cover at the summer schemes would be required to enable them to be safely held this year. The Department of Health has confirmed this week that this would not be available. On that basis, only one decision can be responsibly made for this summer.”
Outraged, Mr Tennyson said: “Once again, it’s vulnerable children who are paying the price for failure and inaction. Parents are being left abandoned, scrambling for alternatives that simply don’t exist.
“The response from the Health and Education Ministers has been woefully inadequate. The buck passing needs to stop. Both Ministers need to get around the table immediately, take responsibility, and fix this.”
Indeed his party has now officially tabled a petition to recall the Assembly in an effort to protect the schemes.
Education Minister Paul Givan has also now asked the Education Authority (EA) to explore options for summer schemes for children with special educational needs.
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.”
