Mum 'heartbroken' over specialist school delay

Emily's daughter Darcey is autistic, has ADHD and global developmental delay

The mother of a seven-year-old girl has said she is "heartbroken" that her daughter has to take antipsychotic drugs in order to cope with mainstream school.

Darcey is autistic, has ADHD and global developmental delay (GDD), as well as complex medical needs because of two genetic chromosomal abnormalities

Her local primary school has said it can no longer meet her needs, but she has been declined a place at a specialist school.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said it was looking at other ways to support Darcey's needs.

Her mother Emily said the school environment forced Darcey to "mask" and contain her emotions, which caused her extreme distress.

She said medical experts advised prescribing her medication that would allow her to cope as she pursued a place in a specialist setting.

Emily said the medication was only supposed to be a short-term solution, but Darcey has been taking it for a year and the dose has steadily increased.

"When it was first suggested to me I felt we had no other option but it was a step to help Darcey," she said.

"Unfortunately, a year on we're just upping the dose.

"It doesn't come without side effects, blood tests and so much trauma.

"I just feel heartbroken as a mum that I've put my child on this medication and she's in a place where she can't learn and she can't thrive."

'Absolute crisis'

Darcey has had an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in place since she was three, stating that mainstream school is suitable for her.

Emily has submitted documentation to Oxfordshire County Council to support Darcey's need for a specialist school place, but has been declined one.

Emily said: "It feels like an ever-revolving cycle of submitting evidence, submitting paperwork.

"I feel frustrated, I feel sad, I feel like we're not the only family in this position and the heartbreak and the stress that its bringing us is immeasurable."

The number of children who require a specialist school setting is rising. In England, there are an estimated 1.7 million school-aged children with special educational needs and disabilities

The number of pupils with an EHCP, who need a place in specialist provision, is forecast to rise by 44,000 in the next three years.

Local authorities are struggling cope with the demand and experts say families are suffering.

Director of the specialist advisory service Autism Champions Deirdre Nic Sitric said many children were in desperate need of support.

"It feels like a child has to be at absolute crisis and at risk of self harm or even worse, before professionals will take notice," she said.

"That's not in every case but that's kind of what we've been seeing."

Oxfordshire County Council said it was "committed to providing the best education and support for every child and young person".

"Following updated information about the child's health needs and an early annual review, we are looking at other ways to support the needs of this child," they added.