SEN: No school at 16, now a place at Ulster University

In England, by law, there has to be an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan for young people with special needs after they leave school until the age of 25.

In Northern Ireland, no such law or plan exists.

Alma White is a parent who has led a campaign for Stormont to change the law in Northern Ireland.

Heather North said it was a “huge” issue.

“There needs to be more help out there to allow the young people to transition,” she added.

Cedar Lodge’s principal Chris Murphy agrees.

“Our young people do have massive potential,” he said.

“But I think that very often whenever they finish with a special school that they are facing a cliff edge,” he added.

“We understand the pathway that our young people need to take – that pathway isn’t traditional,” he continued.

“It may not happen overnight.”

Mr Murphy said that meant that pupils like Devin may need a little more time or support to fulfil their potential.

“He needed that extra year of nurture, of development,” he said, “that can easily be applied to any of our young people in our schools.”

Devin, meanwhile, has big career ambitions for his future in hospitality.

“I want to build my path up towards management,” say’s Devin, “I see myself more aiming towards the business aspects of the hospitality industry.”