Education Minister, and Minister for Education and
Youth, Helen McEntee have met to discuss continued cooperation to
improve educational outcomes for children with Special
Educational Needs (SEN).
Discussions were held during a visit to Middletown Centre for
Autism, which was jointly established by both Departments in 2007
to support the promotion of excellence in the education of
autistic children and young people.
Taking place on World Autism Awareness Day, today's visit also
offered an opportunity to highlight reform already underway aimed
at offering better support to children and young people with
Special Educational Needs in Northern Ireland.
Minister Givan said: “Middletown is an excellent example
of working together to support the delivery of education services
to offer the best opportunity for our children and young people
to thrive. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the impact of
this work, share learning and highlight work being taken forward
under my department's recently launched SEN Reform Agenda and
five-year Delivery Plan, for which Middletown is a key delivery
partner.
“Further cooperation can only improve educational
outcomes for students across both jurisdictions through sharing
of resources and development of innovative solutions to support
the educational needs of all.
“I am grateful to the Middletown Centre for welcoming us
to their facility and sharing their expertise.”
Minister McEntee said: “I want to acknowledge the incredible work
that the Middletown Centre for Autism has been doing over the
years. Their contributions have not only transformed individual
lives but have also made a significant impact on the lives of
children across the island of Ireland.
“That our visit is taking place on World Autism Awareness Day
provides us with an opportunity to reinforce how vital it is that
we continue to work to improve the lives and outcomes of those
with autism across the island.
“The Middletown Centre for Autism is a very strong example of
joint North/South work and demonstrates what can be achieved by
working together. I welcome the continued collaborative work
being taken forward by both Education departments.”
The Ministers heard from Stephen Douthart, CEO and senior staff
at the Centre about the work of Middletown to support families
and provide training for parents and professionals across both
jurisdictions during a tour of the facility.
The visit took place ahead of a meeting of the Education Sector
of the North South Ministerial Council meeting, which also noted
further opportunities for joint co-operation by both Departments
in relation to Special Educational Needs (SEN) to develop, extend
and enhance the transformation of services to support children
and young people with SEN.
Notes to editors:
- Middletown Centre was established in 2007 by The Department
of Education and the Department of Education Northern Ireland to
support the promotion of excellence throughout Northern Ireland
and Ireland in the education of autistic children and young
people. Its operations are jointly funded by both
Departments of Education.
