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Special Educational Needs (SEN) Services in Mid and East Antrim

Northern IrelandDistrict Council
Council website

Mid and East Antrim is a local government district in Northern Ireland with a population of around 137,000, with about 35.5% of young people living in rural areas. The district serves over 23,000 pupils across 68 schools, and like all areas of Northern Ireland, it faces the challenge of supporting children and young people with a range of additional needs within a mixed urban and rural landscape. If you're navigating SEND support for the first time in Mid and East Antrim, you're not alone - and there is help available locally through SENAC (Special Educational Needs Advice Centre), which offers free, impartial advice to families. This page brings together the key information about SEND support in Mid and East Antrim, including how to access assessments, what provision is available in your area, and how to get the right support for your child.

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Schools & SEN Provision

68

Schools

2

Specialist

10

SPiM Schools

23,182

Total Pupils

9.5%at Stages 1-2 SEN

2,200 pupils

7.8%have a Statement

1,801 pupils

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Mid and East Antrim 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 (Special Educational Needs Advice Centre)

028 9079 5779[email protected]Website

SEN / Statementing Team

The Education Authority team responsible for Statements of SEN.

028 9598 5960 (Option 1 for SARS)[email protected]
Request form

Speech & Language Therapy

Northern HSC Trust Children's SLT

Website

Occupational Therapy

Northern HSC Trust Children's OT

Website

Short Breaks & Respite

Short breaks information

Schools

years old

Castle Tower School

Special0% SEN
Ages 3-190 pupils with SENBT43 7FT

Roddensvale School

Special
Ages 3-19BT40 1PU

Harryville Primary School, Ballymena

Primary23.9% SEN
Ages 4-1153 pupils with SENBT42 4BY

St Nicholas' Primary School, Carrickfergus

Primary17.5% SEN
Ages 4-1121 pupils with SENBT38 8AU

Olderfleet Primary School, Larne

Primary13.5% SEN
Ages 4-1115 pupils with SENBT40 1BX

Dunclug Primary School, Ballymena

Primary12.9% SEN
Ages 4-1127 pupils with SENBT43 6SU

St Anthony's Primary School, Larne

Primary12.7% SEN
Ages 4-117 pupils with SENBT40 2BG

Victoria Primary School, Carrickfergus

Primary12.6% SEN
Ages 4-1156 pupils with SENBT38 7EZ

Woodlawn Primary School, Carrickfergus

Primary12.1% SEN
Ages 4-1115 pupils with SENBT38 8EZ

Ballymena Primary School

Primary10.2% SEN
Ages 4-1122 pupils with SENBT43 5BX

Moyle Primary School, Larne

Primary8.8% SEN
Ages 4-1137 pupils with SENBT40 1NS

Oakfield Primary School, Carrickfergus

Primary8% SEN
Ages 4-1123 pupils with SENBT38 7SP

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 Mid and East Antrim.

You can request a statutory assessment, which may lead to a Statement of Special Educational Needs, by contacting the Education Authority (EA) through their online portal or in writing if your child needs more support than their school can provide. The EA will decide within six weeks whether to carry out the assessment and then gather advice from parents and professionals within ten weeks. A request form is available on the EA website.
SENAC (Special Educational Needs Advice Centre) is the SENDIASS service for Mid and East Antrim, offering free, impartial information, advice, and support to parents and young people about special educational needs. They can help with understanding the statementing process, your rights, and next steps - call 028 9079 5779 or email [email protected].
Mid and East Antrim has 2 specialist schools and 10 schools with SEN units to support children with special educational needs. These provisions help meet the needs of the 1,801 pupils with statements or EHCPs and 2,200 with SEN support out of 23,182 total pupils.
The Local Offer is a guide to all the special educational needs services and support available in Mid and East Antrim, including schools, therapies, and advice for families. You can find Mid and East Antrim's Local Offer on the council's website at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk.
The Education Authority has 6 weeks to decide on a statutory assessment request, then up to 10 weeks to gather advice if approved, and 2 weeks after to decide on issuing a proposed Statement. They must issue the proposed Statement within 4 weeks of completing the assessment, and the final Statement within 10 weeks of the proposed one, though exceptions can apply. These timeframes help ensure timely support for your child.

Navigating SEND in Mid and East Antrim?

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