Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s (LCCC) communities and wellbeing committee unanimously signed off on a motion for ‘Caleb’s Cause’, seeking new care packages for young SEN adults at post 19 years of age. Advertisement Advertisement The campaign was established by mum-of-three Alma White, whose teenage son Caleb has complex special needs. The 16-year-old has autism, ADHD and sensory and learning difficulties.
Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. Castlereagh South Alliance Councillor Martin McKeever highlighted the motion, saying: “At its core Caleb’s Cause aims to close the disparity in opportunities for young adults with disabilities accessing further education opportunities and to develop as individuals. “Caleb’s Cause calls for the introduction of legislation to bring in post-19 education health and care plans for these young people.
Advertisement Advertisement “I ask the council to write to the Ministers for Economy, Health and Education urging them to consider introducing legislation and furthermore asks them to prioritise cross-departmental collaboration on planning and implementing any changes.” The motion has also agreed to light up the council HQ at Lagan Valley Island in blue and purple in a show of solidarity with Caleb’s Cause. As Cllr McKeever was a non-committee member, the motion was officially proposed by his party colleague, Alderman Aaro.