Time for action on SEN education crisis, not more empty words says Alliance representatives.

Alliance representatives, Nick Mathison MLA and Michelle Guy MLA, were speaking following a statement by the Education Minister on Special Educational Needs transformation, stating that action is needed, not more empty words. 

Nick Mathison Michelle Guy SEN
Chair of the Education Committee, Nick Mathison said: “We want and need the Minister to succeed in transforming SEN services. The system is broken, and we have long been in a crisis situation.

“However, after listening to the Minister’s statement today all we have right now is more empty words and no finalised action plan or costings.

“Parents and schools are rightly impatient for change to be delivered, and we can only judge the Minister on his actions, so we are yet again left waiting to see change take place.” 

Alliance Education Spokesperson, Michelle Guy said: “Parents, carers, children and schools rightly have a lack of confidence in the Education Department when it comes to delivery, after years of seeing the SEN system in a state of crisis.

“This End-to-End Review started in Spring 2023, following numerous reports into the state of the system. Yet despite giving a statement today, the Minister still can’t show us a finalised action plan or even how he will measure success. 

“The Minister acknowledges that this is about putting the children at the centre of everything we do. However, sentiment alone won’t improve things for our children. A clear plan, with a clear outcome framework is what is needed.

“Both Nick and I will continue to press the Department and the Minister for details and look forward to being able to question the Minister when we finally receive the details of his proposed plans.”