Mid & East Antrim Council endorses Cllr Maeve Donnelly’s call for improved post-19 SEN provision

Alliance Councillor Maeve Donnelly

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has passed a motion calling for significant improvements in post-19 support for young people with special educational needs (SEN), following a cross-party show of support at a full council meeting held at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening.

The motion, brought forward by Alliance Councillor Maeve Donnelly, endorses the work of campaigner Alma White and the grassroots movement Caleb’s Cause, which has been advocating for better outcomes for SEN students transitioning out of the school system.

Crucially, the motion commits the council to lobbying the Ministers for the Economy, Health, and Education to consider introducing legislation for post-19 Education Health and Care (EHC) plans in Northern Ireland.

Councillor Donnelly, who represents Larne Lough and works as a teacher in a special school, welcomed the broad political backing her proposal received.

“As a teacher in a special school myself, I know first hand the anxiety and stress faced by so many parents of SEN children when they are due to move up in school, knowing how little support there is when school eventually finishes,” she said.

“This standing in stark contrast to the options presented to other young people, like the opportunity to experience further education, apprenticeships, jobs, or university. To their own counterparts in England and Wales as well, who are entitled to an Education and Health Plan which is put in place until they are 25. It’s unfair and we cannot stand for it.”

Currently, Northern Ireland lacks a statutory framework comparable to that in England and Wales, where EHC plans support young people with SEN until the age of 25. Campaigners argue that this disparity places an unfair burden on young people and their families, limiting their prospects after school.

Donnelly stressed that cross-party and cross-departmental cooperation would be vital to effect meaningful change.

“It’s clear that there is cross-party support for legislative change, but it will require cross-departmental working to get the right legislation to truly improve opportunities for these young people,” she said.

“I’m glad that my colleagues in other parties were able to recognise this dire need for provision and support our motion.”

The campaign led by Alma White and Caleb’s Cause has gained growing public and political attention in recent months, highlighting the lack of structured post-school opportunities for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Concluding her remarks, Councillor Donnelly reaffirmed the importance of inclusive education and equal opportunity.

“Every young person has hopes, dreams, and aspirations, and every single one of them deserves the chance to reach their fullest potential,” she said. “We must do all we can to ensure our education system is inclusive for all and free from the barriers currently faced by so many with special educational needs, and I hope this can be another step in the right direction.”

The motion’s passage now places responsibility on the Council to formally write to the relevant Stormont ministers, urging them to prioritise post-19 SEN reform in forthcoming legislative programmes.

Stakeholders and advocates hope this local initiative will help catalyse wider policy change at a national level across Northern Ireland.