No SENO in North Cork

The Absence of a Special Education Needs Officer in North Cork

A Special Education Needs Officer (SENO) is a crucial role, and we currently have none in North Cork. This is the person responsible for authorizing and signing forms for Special Needs school placements.

Struggles After Giving Up on Special Needs Class

After giving up on my son’s last placement in a special needs class within a mainstream school, I found myself unable to contact a SENO. It didn’t matter that my son had regressed significantly and couldn’t get through the day anymore. It didn’t matter that the school had given up on trying to teach him. It didn’t matter that my entire life was on hold, waiting for a call to go to the school every day for over a year.

Disconnect Between Politicians and Reality

Every time I hear or read a politician say, “Just contact your local SENO with any school concerns,” I laugh now. It’s clear these people don’t have a clue about what’s really going on, yet they are the ones making important decisions about our children.

Qualified Candidates Exist

If someone tells me there is nobody qualified to fill the position, I can tell you there is. I don’t know of any parent dealing with these issues for years who wouldn’t do a better job than nobody at all. We are the ones who truly care and understand the challenges of children being placed in inappropriate settings or having to resort to teaching them ourselves.

Unfairness in the System

Why can’t I get a wage for doing what a school can’t—teaching my child? I certainly can’t get a job while doing someone else’s. I just can’t see fairness from where I’m sitting. While I don’t have a problem staying at home and doing what I do, I do have a problem with people getting paid to do nothing with him in school.