NEWS

A major conference aimed at reshaping how children with special educational needs are supported in classrooms across Northern Ireland will take place in Belfast this week, as the Education Authority pushes ahead with plans to move away from what it describes as a rigid “one size fits all” system. The keynote event, being held at the Balmoral Hotel, Belfast, on Thursday, April 16, forms a central part of the EA’s public consultation on its proposed Enhanced Support Model, a s

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt are pictured with Anne-Marie Kelly during a visit to the Kelly home which was modified for Anne-Marie’s son Conor through the Disabled Facilities Grant. A County Down family has spoken of the “life-changing” impact of major home adaptations funded through Northern Ireland’s Disabled Facilities Grant, as two Stormont ministers pledged further reforms to strengthen support for households living with disability.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with DEA Officer Karen Brownlow for the launch of World Autism Acceptance Month. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is marking World Autism Acceptance Month this April by reaffirming its commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible community for autistic people and their families. In partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, the council says it will continue to expand support throug

Pictured at the Child Development Centre at the Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ballymoney are back row, left – right, Steven Johnston, Stevie Lennon, Mark Morrow, Joe Gillan from the Robinson Memorial Trust Board, Ronnie Blair, Bamber McKay. Front row, left to right, Paddy Graffin, Kori Gault, James Archer and David Robinson, President of the Robinson Memorial Trust Board. Children and families attending Ballymoney’s Child Development Centre are now being welcomed into a signi

TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston The political fallout over Northern Ireland’s special educational needs summer schemes deepened today after TUV MLA Timothy Gaston launched a blistering attack in the Assembly, accusing ministers and officials of failing some of the most vulnerable children in society. In a strongly worded address, the North Antrim MLA said the decision to cancel the schemes — before a subsequent reversal — was “not simply an administrative mis-step” but

Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey A new motion set to come before Mid and East Antrim Borough Council next month could see sensory toolboxes introduced in every council-owned building across the borough — a move designed to provide immediate comfort and support for children and young people who may become overwhelmed in public spaces. The proposal, brought forward by Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey , will be consider

Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA Summer schemes for children with special educational needs will now go ahead — a dramatic turnaround following days of uncertainty that left families fearing vital support had been lost. The confirmation, welcomed by Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA , follows intense political pressure and urgent engagement between the Departments of Education and Health. For familie

Northern Ireland’s Education Minister Paul Givan, and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt Families of children with special educational needs have been handed renewed hope after Stormont ministers stepped in over the controversial cancellation of summer schemes. Education Minister Paul Givan has called for urgent engagement to restore provision, while Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has now voiced “extreme concern” — ordering officials to explore how schemes could still go ahead. The

Ulster Unionist Party Leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA   Fresh pressure is mounting on the Education Authority after the Ulster Unionist Party warned the cancellation of special school summer schemes raises “serious questions” — including whether the decision was justified at all. Ulster Unionist Party Leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has criticised the move by the Education Authority (EA), describing it as “deeply alarming” for children a

Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson And North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston The sudden cancellation of special school summer schemes has sparked a political backlash, with calls to urgently recall the Northern Ireland Assembly as families face losing what many describe as a “lifeline” service. The Alliance Party has formally tabled a recall petition, aiming to force ministers back into the chamber during Easter recess to answer for a decision that has left parents scramblin

“Outrageous” and “a failure” — political anger is mounting after the cancellation of special school summer schemes across Northern Ireland, as a sharp divide between departments raises new questions over what really drove the decision. While the Education Authority insists the schemes could not safely proceed without on-site nursing cover, the Department of Health has publicly challenged that position — saying such provision is not required in every case. The clash has left

Summer schemes for children attending special schools across Northern Ireland have been cancelled this year, in a decision described by the Education Authority (EA) as “deeply regrettable” but necessary to protect vulnerable young people. EA confirmed on Thursday (March 26) that the schemes will not go ahead due to the absence of adequate healthcare provision — specifically, the lack of on-site nursing cover required to safely support children with complex medical needs. Fo

Families across the Ballymena and wider Northern Trust area are being offered something rare — direct access to expert advice, practical support and inclusive activities, all in one place and completely free. A Community Kids Wellbeing Day will take place at Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney on Thursday 9 April from 2pm to 4pm , bringing together health professionals and community organisations for an afternoon designed around the needs of children and their families.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, with members, families and supporters of Causeway Down’s Syndrome Support Group (CDSSG) during a visit highlighting its music therapy programme. A visit that began as a routine engagement quickly became something far more personal, as the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens witnessed first-hand the life-changing impact of a local support group helping families across the Causeway and Ballymena areas. Councillor Oli

Lisa Barclay and Alison Cook look on as Fiona O'Neill cuts the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new Sensory Room in Causeway Hospital with help from her daughter Gracie. A new sensory room has opened within Causeway Hospital’s Emergency Department, offering a calmer, more supportive environment for patients with additional needs — and marking a significant step forward in inclusive healthcare locally. Designed to provide relief from the noise, crowds and bright ligh

North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston has warned that proposed changes to special educational needs (SEN) support could place classroom assistant jobs at risk and increase pressure inside classrooms. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday, Gaston paid tribute to the “vital role classroom assistants play” in supporting pupils but said staff and families are increasingly worried about how the proposed reforms may work in practice. The Tr

Sean McLaughlin, Darren & Avah McGinty What began with a single all-terrain wheelchair is now becoming something far bigger — a £600,000 vision to transform how families living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus experience rest, recovery and time together in Ballymena. For many children with complex mobility needs, something as simple as a walk in the park has long come with barriers. That is beginning to change thanks to Quadrix, a state-of-the-art all-terrain wheelchair pr

A new free Digital Skills training programme aimed at people who are deaf or have hearing loss is being rolled out across Northern Ireland, with accessible sessions taking place in local libraries throughout February and March. The initiative, delivered by AdaptNI and supported by the Department of Finance, is designed to tackle digital exclusion by providing deaf-aware, visual and practical training tailored to the everyday needs of people who often face barriers when acces

The derelict Crumlin Road Courthouse in Belfast Plans to transform Belfast’s historic Crumlin Road Courthouse into a Neurodiversity Campus have reached an important milestone after a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) was formally accepted by planners at Belfast City Hall. The PAN, submitted by BBE (NI) Ltd and considered on Monday 26 January, relates to the future redevelopment of the long-derelict courthouse on the Crumlin Road, a landmark building that has stood vacant a

Claire McCleery, JAM Card Director (centre) at the Housing Centre customer reception with Rosanna McSorley (left) and June McGrath from the Housing Executive’s Tenancy Support and Sustainment team The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has reaffirmed its commitment to being a JAM Card-friendly organisation as part of the NOW Group’s JAMuary awareness campaign this month, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion for customers across its services. The