Shortfalls in Special Education Needs Discussed at Sticky Fingers Meeting

A Newry City councillor has called for urgent cross-departmental action to tackle serious shortfalls in Special Educational Needs provision in the area, following a meeting at Stormont involving Newry arts organisation Sticky Fingers,  currently the only provider of its kind serving this area.

Councillor Cathal King met at Stormont together with Sinn Féin spokesperson on Childcare and Early Years Cathy Mason MLA, Dáire Hughes MP and representatives from Sticky Fingers Arts Newry to discuss the growing pressures facing SEN provision locally. Sticky Fingers Arts is currently the only provider delivering this level of specialised SEN care in the area, offering early intervention and educational support to children with complex needs.

Councillor King said families are being left to navigate a system that is struggling to cope. "Families are being left frustrated and exhausted by a system under severe pressure, with far too many children missing out on appropriate, timely and fundamental early learning and schooling opportunities. Delays in assessment and access to provision are having real and lasting consequences for children's development."

Cllr King was clear about where responsibility now lies, saying "the onus is now firmly on Ministers to work collaboratively across the Departments of Education, Health and Communities to protect and sustain the Sticky Fingers Arts facility, and to put in place a clear pathway to enable more children to access this essential service."

The Newry councillor also stressed that SEN provision cannot continue to depend on individual providers carrying the burden alone, calling for increased places, sustained investment and a genuinely joined-up approach to meet what he described as growing need. "We have worked extensively with Sticky Fingers Arts to help secure the services they provide today. Their work is invaluable to families in Newry and far beyond. Sticky Fingers Arts works with schools and supports children across the full range of SEN, and we will continue to stand up for this vital service," Cllr King added.

Dáire Hughes MP echoed those concerns, saying: "Sticky Fingers Arts provides an invaluable service to children and families, yet it is operating within a system that is failing to keep pace with demand. The Education, Health and Communities Ministers must now step up and work together to ensure this facility and SEN provision is protected and properly supported. Access to appropriate services at an early age is crucial and without coordinated action across government, too many children will continue to be left behind."

The meeting underlines the pressure facing SEN services in Newry and the wider district, with local representatives now pushing for a clear government response to ensure children are not left waiting for support they urgently need.