Legal News
Dyslexic Boy to Challenge Education Board (25 October 2011)
Date: 25/10/2011
A dyslexic boy has been granted the right to challenge the lack of direct access to a specialist literacy teacher. The court has told that almost 70 other school-age children within the South Eastern Education and Library Board faced the same situation. The boy, who resides in the greater Belfast area, is not uncommon in his need for external help with literacy problems. The boy is only able to spell words two to three letters in length, although he is of average intelligence.
Rachel Hogan from the Children's Law Centre told of how individuals with dyslexia can feel alienated from their peers and often suffer emotional and psychological harm as a consequence of this. The legal challenge is seeking to judicially review the decision to not provide the boy with direct teaching support based on his individual needs. It claims that the conclusion of the board failed to take into consideration its statutory duty and to grant early intervention support, and that the conclusion was motivated by the desire to save on resources. A full hearing will commence next month.
Duncan Lewis’ child care law department comprises skilled solicitors, trainee solicitors, and paralegals. Between them, the team specialises in all aspects of child care law. The department approaches each case with a level of understanding only achievable through specialising in this sensitive area of law. Whether embarking on a case involving social services or an educational board, Duncan Lewis’ child care solicitors understand how the law can affect clients and their families.