Mother Says 'Broken' System Failing Son with Complex Needs in Londonderry
A mother in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, is speaking out about what she describes as a "broken" care system that is failing her 19-year-old son, Eoin Ward, who has complex needs. Suzy Ward, Eoin's mother, a former Emergency Department nurse, is advocating for better post-19 support and resources for young adults with learning disabilities.
Eoin's Situation
Eoin Ward has been diagnosed with Down's syndrome, autism, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), requiring 24-hour care. After finishing school at Knockavoe in Strabane in June 2025, Eoin's mother believes he has regressed due to insufficient support. The Western Health and Social Care Trust has offered him a day place in a setting that Ms. Ward deems unsuitable, primarily designed for elderly people.
Ms. Ward states that Eoin only sleeps for two hours a night, which is extremely draining. Since leaving school, she feels she has lost access to respite care. She explained, "When he was at school at least you had a couple of hours break... Now I can't do that... Eoin is with me, by my side, all day, all night. So it's definitely taken a toll on my mental health."
Regarding the day place offered by the Western Trust, Ms. Ward carried out a risk assessment and concluded that it was not safe for Eoin. She felt many of the activities presented a high risk of choking and that the age difference between Eoin and other clients made it unsafe when his behavior became challenging. She insists Eoin benefitted from structured, age-appropriate environments where he was surrounded by peers.
Call for Legislative Change
Ms. Ward is urging politicians to enact legislation guaranteeing a post-19 system that adequately meets the requirements of young adults with complex needs. She stated, "I think the system is broken and I think the system needs to change... They need to put more funding and more resources into the system for young people with learning disabilities. I really do feel we need post-19 legislation like they have in other parts of the UK."
Currently, in England, there is a legal requirement to have an education plan for young people with special needs until the age of 25. However, no such law exists in Northern Ireland.
Western Health and Social Care Trust Response
The Western Health and Social Care Trust has acknowledged the significant challenges faced by young people with learning disabilities and their families during the transition to adult services. The Trust claims careful consideration is given to each individual service user by a multi-disciplinary team, emphasizing the importance of early, coordinated, and family-involved planning. The Trust also states that individual care plans are implemented to best suit the individual's needs, within available services and funding.
The trust added, "Due to patient confidentiality we are unable to comment on individuals. However we are aware of the concerns raised by the family and continue to engage with them."
