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Special Educational Needs (SEN) Services in Causeway Coast and Glens

Northern IrelandDistrict Council
Council website

Causeway Coast and Glens is a largely rural borough in Northern Ireland, home to stunning coastal landscapes and established towns like Coleraine, Ballymoney, and Limavady, where SEND support is tailored to families across scattered communities. While the area faces challenges like higher deprivation rates among young people compared to the Northern Ireland average and a projected decline in child population, it benefits from strong community wellbeing, ranking second highest in life satisfaction among local districts. Parents navigating the SEND system here can turn to SENAC, the local SENDIASS, for impartial advice and guidance every step of the way.

For families spread across Causeway Coast and Glens' scattered communities, staying organised while managing SEND can feel overwhelming - especially when you're juggling appointments, gathering evidence, and keeping track of how your child is doing day to day. JakTrack takes that weight off your shoulders by giving you one place to record what matters: how your child slept, what they ate, their behaviour patterns, and the small moments that tell the real story of their needs. Over time, this everyday evidence becomes invaluable when you're preparing for appointments or working through the SEN statement process, and our AI insights help you spot patterns you might otherwise miss. Starting early means you're building a clear picture from the beginning, so when you need to advocate for your child - whether with SENAC, your local authority, or at school - you've got the documentation and confidence to back it up. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEN Provision

93

Schools

2

Specialist

23

SPiM Schools

22,441

Total Pupils

9.3%at Stages 1-2 SEN

2,092 pupils

8.4%have a Statement

1,884 pupils

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Causeway Coast and Glens operates under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005. Children here may receive a Statement of Special Educational Needs from the Education Authority.

Northern Ireland Support Organisations

These organisations can help families in Northern Ireland navigate the SEN system:

SENAC (SEN Advice Centre)

Free independent advice on special educational needs in Northern Ireland

Education Authority NI

The Education Authority manages all SEN statements and assessments

Children's Law Centre

Legal advice and representation for children and young people in NI

Local Services & Contacts

SENAC / SEN Advice

Free, independent advice and support for families navigating SEN processes in Northern Ireland.

SENAC

Parent Carer Forum

SENAC (workshops/support)

SEN / Statementing Team

The Education Authority team responsible for Statements of SEN.

Request form

SEN Team

Speech & Language Therapy

Northern HSC Trust SALT

Occupational Therapy

Northern HSC Trust OT

Schools

years old

Rossmar School

Special0% SEN
Ages 3-190 pupils with SENBT49 9ET

Sandelford School

Special0% SEN
Ages 3-190 pupils with SENBT52 1JL

D H Christie Memorial Primary School, Coleraine

Primary28.5% SEN
Ages 4-1183 pupils with SENBT51 3HX

Millburn Primary School, Coleraine

Primary25% SEN
Ages 4-1168 pupils with SENBT52 2AQ

Killowen Primary School, Coleraine

Primary23% SEN
Ages 4-1145 pupils with SENBT51 3BZ

Harpurs Hill Primary School, Coleraine

Primary20.8% SEN
Ages 4-1151 pupils with SENBT52 2EL

Portstewart Primary School

Primary18.6% SEN
Ages 4-1146 pupils with SENBT55 7BT

Ballysally Primary School, Coleraine

Primary17.3% SEN
Ages 4-1144 pupils with SENBT52 2QU

Lislagan Primary School, Ballymoney

Primary15.7% SEN
Ages 4-1121 pupils with SENBT53 7JF

Limavady Central Primary School

Primary14.9% SEN
Ages 4-1147 pupils with SENBT49 0NB

St Malachy's Primary School, Coleraine

Primary14.5% SEN
Ages 4-1124 pupils with SENBT52 1HJ

Ballykelly Primary School

Primary14% SEN
Ages 4-1141 pupils with SENBT49 9JS

Castleroe Primary School, Coleraine

Primary13.8% SEN
Ages 4-1115 pupils with SENBT51 3RN

St John's Primary School, Coleraine

Primary13.5% SEN
Ages 4-1121 pupils with SENBT51 3DX

Ballymoney Model Controlled Integrated Primary School

Primary13.1% SEN
Ages 4-1144 pupils with SENBT53 6BW

Gaelscoil Leim An Mhadaidh, Limavady

Primary12.6% SEN
Ages 4-1116 pupils with SENBT49 9EX

Termoncanice Primary School, Limavady

Primary12.2% SEN
Ages 4-1162 pupils with SENBT49 9BH

Faughanvale Primary School, Greysteel

Primary10.3% SEN
Ages 4-1120 pupils with SENBT47 3EE

Macosquin Primary School, Coleraine

Primary10.1% SEN
Ages 4-1119 pupils with SENBT51 4ND

St Brigid's Primary School, Ballymoney

Primary10% SEN
Ages 4-1121 pupils with SENBT53 6JX

Drumachose Primary School, Limavady

Primary8.2% SEN
Ages 4-1131 pupils with SENBT49 0BS

Carnalridge Primary School, Portrush

Primary7.2% SEN
Ages 4-119 pupils with SENBT56 8PB

St Colum's Primary School, Portstewart

Primary7% SEN
Ages 4-1112 pupils with SENBT55 7EF

St Joseph's Primary School, Dunloy

Primary3.7% SEN
Ages 4-1112 pupils with SENBT44 9EF

Straidbilly Primary School, Ballymoney

Primary
Ages 4-11BT53 8EE

Understanding SEN provision in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland operates under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005. It retains a Statement-based system with a five-stage Code of Practice. Here's what you need to know:

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (SENDO), a child has SEN if they have a learning difficulty that calls for special educational provision. Northern Ireland uses a five-stage Code of Practice - Stages 1-2 are school-based support, while Stage 3 involves a Statement of SEN from the Education Authority.

Statement of Special Educational Needs

Northern Ireland still uses Statements (similar to England's former system, now replaced by EHCPs there). A Statement is a legal document from the Education Authority setting out a child's needs and the provision required. It's maintained by the EA, not the school, and comes with appeal rights to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.

Specialist Provision in Mainstream (SPiM)

Some mainstream schools in Northern Ireland have specialist units - known as SPiM (Specialist Provision in Mainstream). These are dedicated classes within a mainstream school for children with specific needs, staffed by specialist teachers. Children benefit from both specialist support and mainstream social opportunities.

Grammar & Secondary Schools

Northern Ireland retains academic selection at age 11. Grammar schools are selective, while secondary (or "high") schools are non-selective. Both types have a SENCO and must provide SEN support. Grammar schools tend to have lower SEN rates but still have legal duties to identify and support children with SEN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from families about SEND support in Causeway Coast and Glens.

Parents, schools, or the Education Authority can request a statutory assessment if a child needs more support than their school can provide. In Northern Ireland, write to the Education Authority (EA) or use their online request form on the EA website to start the process. The EA will decide within six weeks whether to carry out the assessment and gather advice from professionals.
The local SENDIASS service, called SENAC, offers free, impartial information, advice, and support to parents and children about special educational needs. They can help with understanding the statement process, attending meetings, and accessing workshops through their Parent Carer Forum. Contact them at 028 9079 5779 or [email protected], or visit senac.co.uk.[data]
There are 2 specialist schools in Causeway Coast and Glens for children with special educational needs. Additionally, 23 schools have SEN units to provide extra support. These provisions help meet the needs of the 1,884 pupils with Statements (8.4% of total pupils).[data]
The Local Offer lists all the special educational needs services, support, and provisions available in Causeway Coast and Glens for children and families. It helps parents understand what help is out there and how to access it. Check the Causeway Coast and Glens website or the Education Authority's SEND pages for the details.[data]
The Education Authority has up to six weeks to decide on a statutory assessment request, then ten weeks to gather advice if approved. After assessment, they issue a proposed Statement within four weeks, and a final Statement within another six to ten weeks, though exceptions can extend this. Contact SENAC for support through the process.

Navigating SEND in Causeway Coast and Glens?

JakTrack helps you track evidence, prepare for Statement of Special Educational Needs reviews, check benefit eligibility, and stay on top of appointments - all in one place.

See How JakTrack Helps