Northern Ireland SEN Framework Review
The Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI) has issued a consultation document entitled "The Way Forward for Special Educational Needs & Inclusion" (which may be downloaded from www.deni.gov.uk). DENI has extended the time for responses to this report to 31st January 2010.
The Down's Syndrome Association are deeply concerned about the impact the proposed changes will have on children with Down's syndrome. Whilst we recognise there are many difficulties with the current Special Educational Needs Framework we believe that the proposed changes will actually make matters worse and that parents will find it even more difficult to secure adequate educational provision for their child(ren).
Here are some of the proposed changes:
• Statements of Special Educational Needs (which currently ALL children with Down's syndrome can expect to receive) are to be replaced by Co-ordinated Support Plans (CSPs).
• In order to qualify for a CSP children will need to meet more stringent, restrictive, criteria than is currently the case. This means fewer children will have a legal entitlement to special educational provision than is currently the case.
• Currently, Statements are subject to annual review which gives parents an opportunity to raise concerns or have a Statement amended. Under the new proposals there will be no annual review of Co-ordinated support plans.
• It is proposed that all existing Statements of SEN will be reviewed under new, more stringent criteria the consequence of which will be some children with Down's syndrome may lose the provisions within their existing Statement.
• It is also proposed that most children with SEN will be provided for through a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) that attracts no right of appeal or legal enforceability.
• Under the new proposals money will not be ring -fenced and individual schools will be responsible for allocation of resources. DSA is concerned that this will lead to even greater inconsistency of provision for children with Down's syndrome than is currently the case.
• A wider range of ‘Additional Educational Needs' are to be included in the Special Educational Needs framework and budget e.g. children whose first language is not English, children in care etc. In our view their needs are fundamentally different to those of a child with a life-long condition such as DS.
These proposals amount to a reduction in parental rights and the rights of children with Down's syndrome to receive appropriate and adequate educational provision.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Please assist DSA in resisting these changes. We are making a formal response 
The Way Forward for SEN and Inclusion but it is vital that parents make their views known. You can do this in a number of ways:
1. Write to DENI - download a sample letter to assist you. If you do send a letter please let DSA know on 028 9066 5260 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2. Contact your MLA and raise some of the concerns outlined overleaf. You can contact your MLA through the Stormont switchboard 208 90313170, the website www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/membership07.htm or by putting your postcode into the search box at www.writetothem.com
Your support is vital! Thank you in anticipation
Feeonagh Chambers
Advice worker, Northern Ireland Office