8 Refusals. Zero Options
Dear Ministers,
I am writing this open letter on behalf of every family in this country who are fighting for the rights of their children with additional needs.?Every day, an endless battle for parents who are navigating through life with its harsh realities and the daily challenges we face.?Parents learning as they go and doing the best they can. Children who should be a priority for the Government, but are simply not.?Our educational system is broken.?It’s fundamentally flawed.
My son – he’s soon to be 13 with a dual diagnosis. Like every other family in my situation, I have fought for him since the day he was born, fought for resource, support, assessments, reports, appointments and now the big battle – a secondary school education for him.?No parent should have to fight for that basic right.
To date, I have received 8 refusals from special education schools, 2 of which are in my catchment area.?Main stream schools with special education units are full to the brim, many if not all with a 2 year waiting list. As I write this, I have no options for my son for school this September 2023.
Think about that for a second.?Think about the impact that has on any child with additional needs and the family that support them.
The school waiting lists are endless, the places limited, the funding is trickling down so very slowly.?For many years now, I have received a standard response from parliamentary questions submitted on my behalf.?Reassurances, promises of extra funding, more resource, more school places.?All these promises flood in from Government Ministers, yet on the ground very, very little has changed.
The reality is that our children are not a priority in this country.?Equal access to education does not exist for them.?Every child in this country is entitled to an education, but more importantly the right education. An education that supports them, embraces their strengths, promotes self-confidence and independence. An education that keeps them safe and encourages them to be the very best they can be.
So, my question to you is how can I secure the right education for my son? How can every family fighting the same battle secure an education for their child??What happens next for us in September 2023? How long will it take before he receives the education he is entitled to?
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I welcome your response and thank you for taking the time to read this.
Marrita Coyne
CFO at Clarins Ireland
2 年Keep fighting Marrita. Its so disappointing that in 2023 our children and adults too with additional needs are not the absolute priority of both the education and health care sector. Such a crucial age too for him, to develop to his best, after a tough two years with limited services through Covid.
Marrita Coyne?I remember your gorgeous son when he was just a baby, so devastating to think his future is being compromised like this. He is so lucky to have you fighting for him. Incredible letter, I hope it brings change.?
Administrator at Citizens Information Centre
2 年There is no help, no planning, no normal pathways for these children. Government must organise, plan and provide for our special children the same as they do for others. Well said Marrita. ?? ??
It’s shocking that in this day and age we still need to fight so hard for our children's basic needs to be met. Amazing letter, well done??the government should be ashamed of themselves ?