SEN children 'fall between the cracks after 19'

Caleb and Lauren White were at the protest at Stormont on Wednesday

"Our children who have complex needs, it's like they don't exist after 19."

Alma White went to Stormont on Wednesday to protest about the future facing her autistic son Caleb and other young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

She was joined by other parents and supporters from across Northern Ireland.

In England, by law, there has to be an education plan for young people with special needs after they leave school until the age of 25.

The young people with special educational needs have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which sets out the support they need to continue in education or training after they leave school.

In Northern Ireland, no such law or plan exists.

Falling through the cracks

Tanya Davis and her son Tiernan Flood, who uses a wheelchair, also went to Stormont to call for that to change.

"Tiernan's very keen on politics and history," Tanya told BBC News NI.

"He likes to learn and read up.

"But as of yet there's no destination as such because the provision isn't there for children like Tiernan."

Tanya and Tiernan were among those at Wednesday's protest

Ms Davis said children like her son often "fall between the cracks" as the provision is not there for those with mixed disabilities.

She added: "I as a parent am highly concerned that when my son turns 19 where he will go in life and how he will be supported appropriately."

Caleb's school principal James Curran has previously warned that young people like him face a "cliff edge" when leaving school.

Ms Davis said she cannot understand why young people with SEN in Northern Ireland are treated differently to those in England.

"I do feel that our location, our postcode - for want of a better way to describe it - means that Tiernan is very much disadvantaged further to what he is already disadvantaged," she said.

SEN provision 'important'

Jonny Harvey uses a wheelchair and had come to Stormont to support Caleb and young people like him.

"I think it's really important we introduce SEN provision for post-19s," he said.

"I think we should stand up for those who need the help the most."

Jonny Harvey said that both SEN children and their families need to be supported

"We want this to change and we want these young people to be provided for.

"What people need to understand is that disability actually impacts the whole family, it impacts every aspect of the family.

"If we can actually provide for those young people that need that SEN support, then we actually also provide for the families."

Protestors from across Northern Ireland have called for urgent action

Caroline Campbell, meanwhile, had travelled from Londonderry to attend.

"I'm here advocating for all our young people, especially my own son Oscar," she said.

"Oscar is 16 the same as Caleb and he's school leavers age now.

Caroline Campbell says people like her son Oscar need better support

"Oscar is going to be entering the big bad world and he doesn't have any protection post-19."

Some MLAs from a range of parties did leave parliament buildings to speak to the protestors.

Legislation needed

But Alma White told BBC News NI that there now needs to be action and new legislation to introduce support.

"There's nothing at 19, there's no safety net, there's nothing to hold the government to account that services should be put into place," she said.

Alma White has criticised the lack of support for SEN children after they leave school

"There's no plan so our children who have complex needs, it's like they don't exist after 19."

She added there are "wonderful charities" who help to bridge the gap for many families.

"The problem is the demand," she added.

"It's time to act now and actually implement and get a plan."