The Children's Law Centre's Rachel Hogan gave evidence to the committee via video call
She had spoken and blame for the way of some vulnerable children are treated. "Avoidable harm" had been caused to families by the withdrawal of services during the coronavirus pandemic. There have been avoidable harm - physical, mental harm - caused to children and young people by the policies that have been rolled out and the restrictions. During the pandemic, the respite units were closed and the timing of these closures could not have been worse because it coincided with the closure of special schools". Many support services, therapies and respite support for vulnerable children and those with special educational needs. She said that Children 'drugged' claim Department of Health and education officials say support for vulnerable children is a priority. For the education committee, as a result of a lack of help, some children had harmed themselves and injured their parents, and instead of providing education and respite, we will drug this child. "
That’s utterly reprehensible, it should never happen. On any human rights assessment that's completely inappropriate, it's an abuse of human rights"
And for Autistic children 'abandoned' Chris Lyttle the committee chairman, Alliance MLA called Ms Hogan's evidence suggests there is still no coherent plan in place to provide auxiliary services when they can't be accessed at special schools," some autistic children had been "abandoned" by health and education. However officials from the Department of Health and Department of Education - who subsequently gave evidence to the committee - said that an emergency plan had been put in place for many vulnerable children during the pandemic.