EA Apologises After Autistic Teen Left Without School for 18 Months
Family of 14-Year-Old Jai Stalford Feels “Abandoned” by Education System
The Education Authority (EA) of Northern Ireland has issued a public apology to the family of 14-year-old Jai Stalford, an autistic teenager who has been without a school place since October 2023.
Jai, who is non-verbal and has complex learning difficulties, has not attended school for a year and a half due to what the EA describes as a “significant delay” caused by “wider system pressures” within special educational needs (SEN) placements.
‘We Felt Abandoned’
His mother, Tracy Irwin, told BBC News NI: “We’ve felt abandoned — that’s the only word for it.” Dr Irwin, who is a university lecturer, has had to reduce her work hours to care for Jai full-time. She says the family has been left without support or educational resources.
“What 14-year-old wants to be at home all day?” she asked. “He wants to go out, to see people, to have some normality.”
SEN Capacity Crisis
The EA acknowledged the issue, citing a growing demand for SEN places coupled with a shortage of suitable school provision and staff. “Very limited SEN capacity in the face of growing demand… places major constraints on the entire education sector,” a spokesperson said.
Jai’s previous special school reported that it could no longer meet his needs after multiple incidents in which he became severely distressed. Following attempts to work with the EA and outside professionals, the school ultimately withdrew its ability to accommodate him.
Temporary Measures and Long-Term Concerns
Although Jai briefly received home tutoring, this service stopped in October 2023, leaving the family to handle his education alone. “There’s been no support, no educational input from anyone except what we provide ourselves,” said Dr Irwin.
Currently, the family brings Jai to a local community centre and engages a private specialist agency. But Dr Irwin remains deeply concerned about the long-term impact of such isolation. “He needs structure. The longer he’s out of school, the harder it will be to get him back into a routine.”
Distance Issues and Accessibility
The EA recently offered Jai a place at a special school in Larne — over 20 miles from the family’s home in Jordanstown. Dr Irwin rejected the placement, saying the distance was unmanageable for a child with severe sensory and behavioural needs. “If he becomes distressed on that long bus ride even once, that would be the end of it.”
EA’s Pledge to Improve
In its statement, the EA said it is “committed to ensuring that all children with SEN are placed in an appropriate setting,” and acknowledged the delay and shortcomings in communication with the family.
The authority is working to increase special school capacity by September 2025 and beyond. Measures include a centralised SEN helpline, drop-in centres, and increased staff recruitment to better support families facing similar challenges.
Ongoing Struggles for Families
While these commitments may offer hope for the future, for families like the Stalfords, the damage has already been done. “This should never have happened,” said Dr Irwin. “Jai should have been a priority — he’s non-verbal, vulnerable, and left with nothing.”
Category: Special Education, Northern Ireland News, Government & Policy, Social Justice
Tags: autistic teen left without school, Education Authority Northern Ireland, SEN placement crisis UK, Jai Stalford story, special needs education delays, Tracy Irwin EA complaint, school system failures UK, special education support NI
