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Local support in Mid and East Antrim

SEN support in Mid and East Antrim: who can help

Schools and the Education Authority lead on SEN. The Northern Trust provides children's health services across the area.

Sources checked 14 August 2026Next review 14 August 2027
An illustrated Mid and East Antrim coast with a stone harbour town, white cliffs and green uplands.
Stylised illustration representing the area's character, not an exact photograph of a landmark or service location.

How support is organised in Mid and East Antrim

Families in Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and nearby communities may be dealing with a school question, a health question and a need for practical family support at the same time. Treat them as connected parts of the child's life, but send each request to the organisation that can act on it.

Start with a concrete example. Describe the lesson, transition, social situation or daily task that is difficult and ask what will change first.

Schools provide day-to-day SEN support. The Education Authority manages regional services, statutory assessment and statements. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is relevant for leisure, facilities and community life, but it does not run school SEN or health assessment.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust publishes children's health, development and emotional wellbeing services, including current referral information. RISE NI works with schools on developmental, sensory, communication and wellbeing needs within its service model.

SENAC offers independent education advice. Family Support NI provides a regional directory of registered services.

FamilyFX local support signals

The local picture in Mid and East Antrim

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 Mid and East Antrim

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.

Northern Health and Social Care TrustCovers Northern 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

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Covers Mid and East Antrim

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

Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Covers Northern Trust area

The Northern Trust provides children's health, development and emotional wellbeing services.

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

Northern Trust children’s health and development services

Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Northern Trust 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 details

RISE NI support for schools

Northern Health and Social Care Trust

RISE NI school support within the current Northern Trust service model.

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 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 what it understands the need to be, what support is active and when it will review the outcome. If RISE NI or the EA is mentioned, ask who makes the referral and what the school is doing while it waits.

For a health concern, check the Northern Trust's current page and ask the referrer to name the service. Keep copies of information sent from home or school so you know what the receiving team has seen.

For activities and practical family help, use the council and Family Support NI listings. Check venue, accessibility, age range, cost and whether booking is required.

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 Mid and East Antrim?

If you are part of a charity, parent group, advice service, inclusive activity or another organisation supporting SEND families in Mid and East Antrim, 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.