The State could face an avalanche of legal actions from children with special needs if the system to assess their needs is not rectified, according to a leading children’s rights solicitor. An assessment of needs within a strict timeframe is a legal entitlement for any child suspected of having special needs. The timeframe was introduced to reflect the importance of early intervention in addressing needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. If this problem is not rectified, says children’s rights solicitor Gareth Noble, it is inevitable that parents will seek to assert their rights through legal actions against the State. “You will have a host of civil actions from children seeking damages because of the late delivery of the assessment of needs,” said Mr Noble.

Source: Irish Examiner February 18, 2019 05:26 UTC