LAST week I attended a conference in Lisburn that targeted the area of post 19 provision for young adults with severe learning difficulties'. I complement the organisers, most sincerely, on a very successful conference. As someone who has spent 35 years working in special education, the last 21 years as a special school principal, I have attended several such conferences over the decades. Little, in my opinion, has changed.
I have therefore taken the unusual step of writing to your newspaper to urge our politicians to assist in this area - I strongly believe the 'will' to help is there in all our politicians irrespective of party politics.
No one minister or government department can 'fix' the problems our young adults currently have when they leave school - they are too complex.
What is needed is joined up collaborative working practices across the department for Education; the department for Health and the department for Education and Learning that specifically targets 'post 19 education for young adults with SEN across the whole province' - a regional strategy group.
Let's get a group of politicians, administrators, parents and young adults themselves to plan a way forward. Do it now.
Our young people get a great education in our schools, we need to build on and keep the educational momentum going. It's what our children deserve.
Dr P CINNINGHAM
Lurgan, Co Armagh
