A Belfast mum has opened up about the stress she's facing trying to find a school nursery place for her special educational needs (SEN) child.
Niamh Robinson, 22, said her son Noah had been offered a place at a special school for September but that has since been withdrawn due to the school not being able to run a nursery.
"Noah is three and a half, he is currently in Kids Together, which is a specialist pre-school setting," she said.
Read more: Northern Ireland parents call for reform ahead of protest at Stormont against SEN cuts
"He's been getting speech and language therapy and occupational therapy in there once a month since September.
"He finishes up soon though and because he has no special spot confirmed, all that intervention he's had is just stopping with no plan of what's happening next."
"He's been assessed as having severe learning difficulties, he has an autism diagnosis and an immune deficiency."
The worried mum has been desperately trying to find out how she can get Noah a place but says she has not been able to get much information.
"There's been no communication, I've no idea what's happening or what the plan is," she added.
"I've emailed to ask does his SEN statement go to any other schools, his statement should be with other schools to get a chance of him being placed somewhere.
"The thing is you can't give loads of school names for a statement to go to to give him a better chance, it doesn't work that way.
"For kids like Noah, there's nothing planned ahead for them, it's just awful not knowing what's happening."
Niamh was studying last year at university but had to defer for a year due to Noah's circumstances.
"I was in uni in September there but Noah had constant appointments and with his immune deficiency, he was sick with getting vaccinations and everything," she said.
"I had to just defer and it looks like I'm not going ahead again this year because how am I meant to say I can go ahead when my child doesn't even have anywhere to go?
"I'm trying to do better for us, I'm trying to go to uni to get a degree and there's just no help."
She went on to say that she feels SEN children have been left with little help and that they are not being given a fair chance at a school place.
"Just because he has severe learning difficulties, because he can't cope in a mainstream setting, it feels like they're second class citizens, like they're being forgotten about," she said.
"I think it's harder for him because he has been in Kids Together and they understand his needs, he's been getting so much and they do after-schools for the special schools and that and that will just be taken away from him when he finishes up.
"It's awful that it's the end of June and the places haven't been lined up, it's a disgrace."
The Education Authority NI said its "top priority" remains "ensuring all children with statements receive a placement which fully meets their needs".
"We absolutely recognise that this is an extremely anxious time for those parents and children waiting for the confirmation of a school place. All children with statements are equally entitled to a place which is appropriate to meet their needs," a spokesperson said.
"The EA is working to ensure all children will be placed appropriately as soon as possible and fully understands the importance of keeping parents informed of progress regarding their child’s school placement.
"SEN Link Officers will be in contact with all parents of pupils awaiting placement by the week beginning 26th June 2023 at the latest.
"If you have not been contacted by Friday 30th June 17.00, please email your SEN Link Officer directly on Monday 3rd July 2023 or call the SEN Helpdesk on 028 9598 5960 where staff will be available to help you."
Parents took to Stormont on Wednesday to protest against cuts to SEN services and to call for reform to those.
They lined up outside Parliament Buildings with placards to highlight the plight of their children.
The Education Authority has previously warned that there was a sizeable shortfall in provisions for SEN children in Northern Ireland and mainstream schools were being asked to open units as a result.
It's estimated that hundreds of families could be affected by the lack of provisions, with previous reports suggesting there needs to be around 850 extra SEN places at schools across NI.
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