Protest raises concerns over Assessment of Need process
By Mary Dennehy
THE PARENTS of children with special needs united recently to highlight their concerns over planned changes to the HSE’s Assessment of Need process.
Recently, a protest was staged outside Chamber House in Tallaght Cross, which is the HSE community services office.
Organised by the Enough is Enough campaign, which was started by parents from Tallaght and Clondalkin, the protest aimed to raise concerns around changes to the Assessment of Need process – which is the first step in receiving a diagnosis for a child with special needs.
This diagnosis informs what early intervention services a child needs however, parents are concerned that the HSE is attempting to change the Assessment of Need process to cut back on lengthy waiting lists.
Under the Disability Act 2005 the Assessment of Need must start within three months of the completed application being received by the HSE.
The assessment, outside of ‘exceptional cases’, must also be completed within three months of commencing.
As previously reported in The Echo, many families have been left waiting over the six-month timeframe – with The HSE recently facing legal action for delaying the Assessment of Need for children with special needs.
Speaking with The Echo, Tallaght mother Sharon Condron Melia, who, having three children on the autism spectrum, is part of the Enough is Enough campaign, said: “The HSE is changing the way it is doing its Assessment of Need and we’re concerned that these changes will not assist children.
“I believe the HSE is trying to cut back on the number of children waiting on an Assessment of Need, and that’s why these changes are being brought in.
“The whole point of an Assessment of Need is to get a diagnosis, after which early intervention services can be assigned.
“However, we’re hearing that the HSE is now saying that children don’t need a diagnosis first that they can get early intervention services without diagnosis.
“How can the HSE know what early intervention services a child needs if they don’t have a diagnosis?
“Also, a diagnosis is needed for places in special schools, for SNAs…. if the HSE tries to push out the Assessment of Need, you will have, for example, children starting mainstream school without the supports they need.”
Sharon also stressed that parents who don’t fill out Assessment of Need forms correctly, their application is “being shut down”.
The Echo put a number of questions to the HSE however, a reply was not received in time for print.
For further information visit the Enough is Enough Facebook page.
