SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has said the plan to transform education for children with special educational needs (SEN) must be fully funded.

She was speaking after Education Minister Paul Givan detailed his plan in the Assembly on Monday.

East Derry MLA Ms Hunter said:

“Many of the initiatives contained in the Minister’s plan today are to be welcomed, but unless these proposals are backed up with a firm financial commitment from the Executive they will never be delivered and the hopes of parents that the support they have been crying out for may finally come to fruition should not be raised unduly. The Executive has earmarked no money in their latest budget for this transformation plan which casts serious doubts over when it is likely to be implemented.

“Introducing measures around early interventions, opportunities for those aged 19+, ensuring families have proper support and that all staff have access to the training they need would make a real difference to young people with SEN and their families. I particularly welcome a commitment to introduce a child development passport, something I have been campaigning for, which would detail a child’s needs and progress throughout their time in education and if successful I believe we should look at rolling this out on a wider basis.

“I have spoken at length with SEN parents who are burned out, exhausted, feel like they're running in circles and desperately want to see these changes implemented. We can’t allow this plan to become another wishlist that is welcomed and quickly forgotten. Good intentions will not result in young people with SEN having the best possible educational experience and it has been clear for some time that radical change is needed. If the Executive really wants to improve education for those with SEN and to support their families, then they need to back this plan up with funding.”