'State denying children legal right to equal education'

Under the law, children are legally entitled to an assessment of need within six months of applying, and the process is intended to help children access relevant services and supports.

The State has been accused of denying thousands of children their legal right to an equal education by leaving students without proper support due to unduly long waiting lists.

It is predicted that as many as 25,000 children could be waiting for an overdue assessment of need by the end of the year.