To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) how funds for early intervention disability services have been allocated; and (ii) any plans he has to further develop early intervention resources, in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.

(i) Within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT); there is no discrete budget allocation specifically ring fenced for children’s early intervention disability services. Instead, early intervention is delivered within and across departments and directorates and may be delivered through universal services including GP and Health Visiting.

Disability services also span both physical disability and intellectual disability provision, wherein a broad range of professionals including Social Workers, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals undertake initial assessments and often signpost to resources such as Family Support Hubs, Community and Voluntary services, for early help and advice. Within the Children’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing services including services for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, (ADHD) Child Health Assistants provide resources and signposting to parents, depending on the presenting need, at that time.

The South Eastern HSC Trust is in the process of receiving £2.4 Million investment announced by the Minister of Health during October 2024, and a proportion of this was allocated to early intervention services within the Severe Learning Disability programme.

(ii) In relation to potential future investment; the South Eastern HSC Trust is working with the Department of Health and the other HSC Trusts, through the mechanism of the Strategic Reform Board, with a view toward securing additional investment through the Big Lottery funding and the Transformation Budget announced by the Northern Assembly during March 2025.