SEN support in Antrim and Newtownabbey: which service to contact
The borough council does not run the SEN system. Education support is regional through schools and the Education Authority, while children's health services are provided by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
How support is organised in Antrim and Newtownabbey
Families in Antrim, Newtownabbey and the surrounding towns may need three different routes for one child's support. The school deals with support in class, the Education Authority manages regional and statutory SEN processes, and the Northern Trust provides local health services.
Start with the barrier that needs attention now. Tell the school or health professional what is happening, when it happens and what has already helped. That keeps the immediate problem visible while longer assessment or planning work continues.
Schools identify needs and arrange support through the Northern Ireland SEN framework. The Education Authority manages regional services, statutory assessment and statements. SENAC offers independent advice about education rights and processes.
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust provides children's health, development and emotional wellbeing services. Its current pages explain local teams and referral routes. Family Support NI can be searched for registered family and community support by location and need.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is relevant for leisure, facilities and community life. It does not decide school SEN provision or clinical assessment, so use the organisation responsible for the particular action you need.
The local picture in Antrim and Newtownabbey
This section maps the current health bodies serving this area and, where a comparable official measure is available, presents it alongside the national figure. It is not a rating of the area or the quality of an individual service.
Health
Health and Social Care trusts for Antrim and Newtownabbey
Health and Social Care trusts deliver many local health and social care services in Northern Ireland. Some services are organised regionally, so the organisation listed is a starting point rather than a promise that every pathway is based locally.
Urgent help
Lifeline crisis support
Lifeline provides confidential crisis support in Northern Ireland. Call 999 if life is at immediate risk.
Visit Lifeline crisis supportLocal organisations and advice
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Covers Antrim and Newtownabbey borough
Relevant to local leisure and community facilities, but not the regional SEN process.
Visit websiteEducation Authority
Covers Northern Ireland
The regional body for statutory SEN services and processes.
Visit websiteNorthern Health and Social Care Trust
Covers Northern Trust area
Provides children’s health and wellbeing services across a wider area than the borough.
Visit websiteSENAC
Covers Northern Ireland
Independent advice about SEN education rights and processes.
Visit websiteFamily Support NI
Covers Northern Ireland
Searchable regional directory of family support services.
Visit websiteServices and local pathways
Education Authority SEN information
Education Authority
Regional information about school SEN support, Education Authority services and statutory processes.
Who it is for: Children and young people in Northern Ireland who have or may have special educational needs.
How to access it: Begin with the school for current support. Use the Education Authority guidance and online services for statutory processes.
Check current detailsNorthern Trust children’s health and development services
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Current Northern Trust information about children’s health, development and emotional wellbeing services.
Who it is for: Children and young people within the service’s geography and referral criteria.
How to access it: Check the named service page and ask the GP or involved professional which referral route and local team apply.
Check current detailsRISE NI support for schools
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
A regional integrated support service working with schools to help children with developmental, sensory, communication and wellbeing needs.
Who it is for: Access depends on the school, child’s needs and the service’s current model.
How to access it: Discuss the concern with the school and check the Northern Trust page for the current route.
Check current detailsFamily Support NI directory
Family Support NI
A searchable directory of registered family support services across Northern Ireland.
Who it is for: Each listed service has its own location, age and eligibility criteria.
How to access it: Search by area and need, then confirm current details directly with the provider.
Check current detailsHSC service finder and trust contacts
HSCNI Strategic Planning and Performance Group
Use the regional finder if the correct trust or service is not clear from a referral or letter.
Who it is for: Open to anyone looking for current HSC service or trust information in Northern Ireland.
How to access it: Search by service or place. If the trust is unclear, check a current HSC letter or ask the referring professional.
Check current detailsSENAC education advice
SENAC
Independent advice and advocacy on SEN education rights and processes in Northern Ireland.
Who it is for: Parents and carers of children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland.
How to access it: Check SENAC’s current advice and contact arrangements online.
Check current detailsPractical next steps
For education, ask the school what SEN support is in place, who is reviewing it and whether the Education Authority is involved. Use the EA's current online guidance for a statutory assessment request or case update.
For developmental, emotional or health concerns, ask the GP, health visitor, school nurse or other professional which Northern Trust service and referral criteria apply. Check the live service page before relying on an old contact or leaflet.
For activities and family support, search Family Support NI and the council's current leisure information. Confirm age, accessibility, cost and booking arrangements directly with the provider.
Related FamilyFX help
Do you support SEND families in Antrim and Newtownabbey?
If you are part of a charity, parent group, advice service, inclusive activity or another organisation supporting SEND families in Antrim and Newtownabbey, we would like to hear from you. Send us your website, the area you cover, who the service is for and how families can get in touch. We check submissions before deciding whether to add them.
Send us your detailsSources and checking dates
Local services change. We check the sources below and review any substantive change before altering the page.
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, checked 14 August 2026
- Education Authority: SEN information, checked 13 August 2026
- Family Support NI, checked 14 August 2026
- HSCNI Strategic Planning and Performance Group, checked 14 August 2026
- NI Direct: mental health emergency, checked 14 August 2026
- Northern Trust: child health, development and emotional wellbeing, checked 14 August 2026
- Northern Trust: RISE NI, checked 14 August 2026
- SENAC, checked 14 August 2026