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Local support in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon

SEN support in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon: finding the right route

Education support is organised through schools and the Education Authority. Children's health services usually sit with the Southern Trust.

Sources checked 14 August 2026Next review 14 August 2027
An illustrated Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon landscape with orchards, river, stone buildings and cathedral spires.
Stylised illustration representing the area's character, not an exact photograph of a landmark or service location.

How support is organised in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon

If a child is finding school, communication, attention, sensory demands or everyday routines difficult, start with a few examples from real situations. Ask the school what it can change now, what it will record and when the support will be reviewed.

The council district covers several distinct towns and rural communities, but the SEN system is regional. You do not need to find a borough-level SEN department before speaking to the school or Education Authority.

Schools provide day-to-day SEN support. The Education Authority manages regional services, statutory assessment and statements across Northern Ireland. SENAC offers independent education advice.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon sits within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area. The Trust publishes current autism assessment and support information, including referral details. The borough council has a different role, including leisure, community facilities and local inclusion.

Family Support NI lists registered family and community services. Use its filters, then confirm that a service covers your postcode, age group and particular need.

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The local picture in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon

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 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon

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.

Southern Health and Social Care TrustCovers Southern Trust areaVisit trust website

Urgent help

Lifeline crisis support

Lifeline provides confidential crisis support in Northern Ireland. Call 999 if life is at immediate risk.

Visit Lifeline crisis support

Local organisations and advice

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Covers Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon

Council leisure, facilities and community services.

Visit website

Education Authority

Covers Northern Ireland

The Education Authority manages regional SEN services and statutory processes.

Visit website

Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Covers Southern Trust area

The Southern Trust publishes current children's autism service information.

Visit website

SENAC

Covers Northern Ireland

SENAC provides independent education advice and advocacy.

Visit website

Family Support NI

Covers Northern Ireland

Family Support NI lists registered family and community services.

Visit website

Services and local pathways

Education Authority SEN information

Education Authority

Current Education Authority SEN information and online routes.

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 details

Southern Trust autism services

Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Southern Trust autism assessment and support information.

Who it is for: The service page describes current age, geography and referral criteria.

How to access it: Read the current Trust page and ask the GP or involved professional which referral route applies.

Check current details

Family Support NI directory

Family Support NI

Searchable regional directory of registered family support.

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 details

HSC service finder and trust contacts

HSCNI Strategic Planning and Performance Group

Use the official finder when the correct HSC trust or service is unclear.

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 details

SENAC education advice

SENAC

Independent SEN education advice and advocacy.

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 details

Practical next steps

Ask the school to name the current SEN stage, the adjustments being used and the person responsible for reviewing them. If the Education Authority is involved, keep the school action and EA action separate in your notes.

For an autism or developmental question, read the Southern Trust's current criteria and ask the GP or other professional whether the referral is going to that service. A referral should not prevent school support from changing where the barrier is already understood.

For community support, check the council and Family Support NI. Confirm accessibility, cost, booking and transport before making plans, particularly where a service is delivered away from your nearest town.

Related FamilyFX help

Library articleSchool Support Scotland Wales Northern IrelandUse the Northern Ireland SEN framework and the correct regional education route.Library articleSend Rights Scotland Wales Northern IrelandUnderstand statements, rights and the Northern Ireland system.Library articleKeeping A Record For School And Gp MeetingsKeep school and health actions clear without creating an unmanageable file.
Help us strengthen this directory

Do you support SEND families in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon?

If you are part of a charity, parent group, advice service, inclusive activity or another organisation supporting SEND families in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, 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 details

Sources and checking dates

Local services change. We check the sources below and review any substantive change before altering the page.