A Co Down mum has expressed her anger after struggling over recent months to secure a school place for her young son which meets his needs.
Lindsey Phillips' son, who has special educational needs (SEN), still does not have a school place for this September.
Three-year-old son Christy has echolalia, learning delay, social and communication delay but an extremely high level of understanding and a P3/4 reading level.
Read more: Severely non-verbal child without a school place for second time
He also has autism and suspected ADHD along with sensory issues around water.
But the family have been told by the Education Authority that Christy won't have a place in a primary school which meets his needs as there are no places available.
Lindsey, 38 and from Ballynahinch, says she is now so distraught as she just wants to get the correct needs for her wee boy.
She told Belfast Live: "Christy needs a space within a special needs unit (social and communications) along with a full time classroom assistant due to safeguarding i.e. water safety.
"There are three primary schools in our district but none of them have any type of learning support centres attached.
"He was offered a place in one local primary school but due to heightened sectarian tensions within the community, it wouldn’t suit him as he would have to make his sacraments. He was also offered a place in a Belfast school but no transport."
She added: "One school in Downpatrick has a space for him if he can get additional adult support, such as a full time classroom assistant, within the learning support centre (LSC).
"I requested this from EA and was told there’s no such thing even though they already have several pupils with adult support within their LSC.
"I was told I would have to apply for additional funding for such a request and would need medical evidence to back up the claim, all of which they have had since last November.
"The SENLINK officer passed this onto his old supervisor who seemed on board and just needed to sign off but the budget was completely cut last month. Now I'm left with Christy potentially going to a mainstream school with no amendment to the statement for a classroom assistant or a LSC placement."
There is currently a shortfall of around 920 special school places for children at both primary and post-primary level across Northern Ireland for September 2023, the Education Authority has said.
While parents of pupils seeking a place in mainstream primaries and post-primaries have already been told what school their child will attend in September, there are many other children like Christy still without a place.
It comes amid growing pressure on the education system here with recent warnings from the EA that a "significant shortfall" in special school places this year was likely.
There were almost 7,000 pupils in Northern Ireland's 39 special schools in 2022/23 with a further 3,200 in specialist provision in mainstream schools.
Lindsey added: "I've been ringing the EA every week for over three months but I'm just getting the same information over and over and over again that there’s no change in the funding or budget.
"I’m at my wits end and seem to be getting nowhere. I’m sure there are hundreds of other parents in the same boat and facing this crisis in SEN. Every child is entitled to a school place that meets their needs."
In response, a spokesperson for the Education Authority said: “The Education Authority is committed to ensuring that every child with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who requires a new placement for September 2023 is placed in an appropriate setting that meets their needs.
“While EA cannot comment on individual cases, SEN Link Officers will contact parents when a possible placement has been identified. Parents of children with a statement of SEN who have concerns are encouraged to contact the SEN Helpline.”
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