FamilyFX: The Family Reset System
Local support in Newry, Mourne and Down

SEN support in Newry, Mourne and Down: local routes that cross trusts

The council district crosses Southern and South Eastern Trust areas. Education support remains regional through schools and the Education Authority.

Sources checked 14 August 2026Next review 14 August 2027
An illustrated Newry, Mourne and Down landscape with high mountains, green fields and a small harbour beside the sea.
Stylised illustration representing the area's character, not an exact photograph of a landmark or service location.

How support is organised in Newry, Mourne and Down

Newry, the Mournes, Downpatrick and the surrounding coastal and rural communities share one council, but not one simple health-service boundary. The correct trust may depend on where the child lives and the service being requested.

For a school difficulty, you can act before resolving that question. Tell the school what is happening, what the child says or shows and what adjustment would make the immediate situation more accessible.

Schools provide SEN support and the Education Authority manages regional services, statutory assessment and statements. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is relevant for local leisure, facilities and community inclusion rather than those education decisions.

The former Newry and Mourne area is associated with Southern Trust services, while Down and surrounding communities may use South Eastern Trust routes. Current referrals should be checked by postcode and named service. The HSC service finder and trust contacts provide a safer starting point than the council label.

SENAC gives independent education advice, and Family Support NI lists registered local and regional help.

FamilyFX local support signals

The local picture in Newry, Mourne and Down

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 Newry, Mourne and Down

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 Part of the districtVisit trust websiteSouth Eastern Health and Social Care TrustCovers Part of the districtVisit 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

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Covers Newry, Mourne and Down

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 Part of the district

Southern Trust services cover part of the current district. Confirm the receiving service.

Visit website

South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

Covers Part of the district

South Eastern Trust services cover part of the current district. Confirm the receiving service.

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

HSCNI Strategic Planning and Performance Group

Covers Northern Ireland

The official finder helps confirm HSC services when council and trust boundaries differ.

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 service information for residents in its service area.

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

South Eastern Trust neurodevelopmental service

South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

South Eastern Trust neurodevelopmental service information for residents in its service area.

Who it is for: The current page explains the service geography, evidence and referral routes.

How to access it: Read the current criteria and ask the GP or involved professional whether this is the correct pathway.

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 to confirm the correct trust or service.

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 will change now, how the child will be involved and when the support will be reviewed. Keep EA actions and school actions separately named.

For ADHD, autism or developmental concerns, ask the GP or involved professional to confirm the receiving trust and current criteria. Do not send the same referral to Southern and South Eastern teams simply because both appear in a search.

For community support, check which venue is actually used and whether travel is realistic from your part of the district. Ask about access, cost, booking and transport before relying on a programme in family plans.

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 Newry, Mourne and Down?

If you are part of a charity, parent group, advice service, inclusive activity or another organisation supporting SEND families in Newry, Mourne and Down, 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.