Summer schemes at special schools to go ahead following talks and U-turn
A workable solution to allow special educational needs (SEN) summer schemes to go ahead this year has been welcomed by local political representatives.
The Education Authority announced the reprieve late on Friday afternoon.
Earlier, the EA had said that the schemes would not be able to take place this summer due to ‘concerns about the adequacy of health care provision for vulnerable participating children’.
In a statement on Friday, however, it advised agreement had been reached to allow them to proceed.
“Following further engagement involving the EA, the Department of Health and the Department of Education, the Department of Health has now been able to confirm that nursing support will be made available at each special school summer scheme site.
"This represents a workable solution that will enable special school summer schemes to be held this year,” the EA said.
Foyle MLA Pádraig Delargy said: “This U-turn will come as a huge relief to parents and vulnerable children who rely heavily on this vital service and can now rightly look forward to it this summer.
"It should never have come to this point."
The now averted closure of the schemes centred on nursing provision.
The Education Minister Paul Givan and the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt have now confirmed that, following intensive engagement between both Departments and the Education Authority (EA), a solution has been secured that will allow special school summer schemes to proceed this year.
The Department of Health has confirmed that nursing support will be provided at every summer scheme location. This ensures that essential clinical oversight will be in place and offers a workable and timely way forward, enabling the schemes to operate as planned.
Mr. Givan said: “Special school summer schemes play a vital role in supporting children and young people with complex needs, offering continuity of care and essential support for families. After intense and constructive engagement today, a solution has now been agreed.
"The EA will now work closely with special school principals to urgently progress detailed planning and preparation for the delivery of the schemes.
"This was the outcome that we wanted for families, however the safety and well-being of children and young people was our concern. I am pleased that we have now been able to find a way forward.
Mr. Nesbitt continued: “I am pleased to confirm that nursing support can now be made available at each special school summer scheme site. We will continue to work with all partners to develop and a robust, sustainable, year-round model of health care support for special schools.
"This long-term work aims to provide greater stability, strengthen provision and ensure that the needs of children with complex medical requirements are consistently and appropriately met.”
The EA said: “The overriding priority of everyone concerned remains the safety and well-being of children and young people, and EA will continue to work with special school principals to urgently prioritise planning for the summer schemes.
"Engagement will also continue on developing and embedding a robust and stable model for year-round health care provision for special schools.”