Aug 11, 2020, BBC: (Northern Ireland) Special needs education: More than 30 children in NI without places https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-53729931?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education&link_location=live-reporting-story Thirty-three children with a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) are still without a September school place…. The EA has placed the majority of 285 children with SEN in a school - that's the figure BBC News NI revealed was without a school place in June. The mother of one eight-year-old told BBC News NI there was "no excuse" for the situation. Education Minister Peter Weir has said all pupils should return to school full-time in September. But that is not possible for Colette Stewart's son Harry, as he is still to be placed in a special school in Belfast. 'All consuming' Harry has a chromosome disorder, is autistic and also non-verbal, and Colette said he needed the specialist support that school provided…. 'So stressful' In July, the chair of Stormont's education committee, Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle, revealed that about 600 children in Northern Ireland were waiting longer than the statutory limit of six months for a statement of SEN.... That is the situation for another child with special educationa…l needs who is also non-verbal In March, the EA apologised for numerous failings in providing support for children with special educational needs after a damning internal review.... "In June of this year, 285 children with a statement of special educational needs were awaiting confirmation of a school place. "As of this week there are 33 children who are currently having their placement finalised or confirmed, and we are continuing to work directly with families and schools to ensure each and every child will have a suitable place agreed over the coming days….
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