Decision on a Welcome Centre for Gibson Primary School, Omagh

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has today approved a Development Proposal for a WELCOME Centre at Gibson Primary School, Omagh.

The Western Early Years Language, Communication and Education (WELCOME) Centre will meet the needs of Children at Foundation Stage (Nursery and Key Stage 1) of the NI Curriculum with Speech and Language Impairments, offering 10 full-time places to foundation stage pupils.

Speaking about the decision, the Minister said: “The WELCOME Centre will continue the good work started in 2004, with the financial assistance of the

I CAN charity, in offering specialist support to very young children who have speech and language impairments.

“The school has built up expertise in this area and now has long established practice and collaborative arrangements with the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WH&SCT). Early intervention offers children the support they need at an early age and can prevent the need for a statement of special education needs at a later date.

“As I have made it clear since becoming Minister for Education, I am determined that all our children and young people are offered the support and opportunities they deserve to develop to their full potential and the WELCOME Centre is an excellent example of the type of specialist support we can offer. I commend the excellent work that has been undertaken by this unit and wish the staff, pupils and parents well for the future.”

Notes to editors:

1. In July 2004, the Department approved a development proposal published by the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) on 16 October 2003 to the effect that an ‘I CAN’ Early Years Centre should be established within the area served by the WELB and the Western Health and Social Services Board (WHSSB). The centre opened at Gibson Primary School in September 2004 and was funded by I CAN for the first two years of operation and thereafter by the WELB from within its own resources.
2. The Western Eastern Education and Library Board published a Development Proposal 210, on 26 November 2009, proposing the establishment of a WELCOME Centre to meet the needs of Children at Foundation Stage (Nursery and Key Stage 1) of the NI Curriculum with Speech and Language Impairments be established at Gibson Primary School, Omagh with effect from 1 September 2010, or as soon as possible thereafter.
3. I CAN is the national education charity for children with speech and language difficulties.
4. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 02891279207. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.