Child sleeping at school due to 'overcrowded flat'

The family-of-five has lived in their property since 2008 (L-R) Alperen, Orhan, Omer, Selma and Esmanur

A family of five living in a two-bedroom flat said the overcrowded space makes it hard for their children to sleep and it is impacting their health and education.

Orhan and Selma live in a Salisbury council flat along with their children aged 14, 12 and eight who share one bedroom. They say the small space has resulted in their youngest child falling asleep in school because he struggles at home.

Originally from Turkey, Orhan moved to the UK 14 years ago. He says he pays council tax and rent but the council "won't help" his family.

Wiltshire Council said any family who required "one additional bedroom is not likely to be considered as statutory overcrowded".

Requests for the family to be re-banded and moved to a larger property have been made by family advocate, Christopher Nicholls, who said doctors notes have been given to the council.

Under the Housing Act 1985, a home is overcrowded if two children who are 10 or older and of the opposite sex must sleep in the same room, with living rooms counted as an available sleeping space.

Orhan and Selma's family home is not overcrowded using this legal test, as their sons could technically share a bedroom while their daughter slept in the living room, or vice versa.

However, Wiltshire Council says the family do require an additional bedroom under guidance known as the national bedroom standard.

"We recognise they have an identified housing need as confirmed within our housing allocation policy for a move to a larger home," a spokesperson added.

Alperen, 14, has said he now prefers to sleep on the family's sofa than share a room with his sister. This has resulted in a lack of sleep and him struggling to concentrate at school, he added.

Esmanur, 12, has said "it's hard" having no personal space and she is unable to speak to her mum "about something private" because "we have no space".

Meanwhile the couple's youngest son Omer, eight, has said that because he struggles to sleep at home, he ends up sleeping at school.

Selma works in a cafe during school hours and otherwise takes care of the children while her husband works in a takeaway.

The constant arguments between the siblings has left her "feeling really bad", she said, adding she had been referred for "talking therapies".

Applications have been made to Wiltshire Council requesting the family are rehomed

The family's housing officer, from Aster Group, has written to the council in support of the re-banding application.

An Aster Group spokesperson added: "We are actively supporting the family in their hopes of finding alternative accommodation.

"We are aware that the pressures for affordable family housing are acute, and regrettably this is not a unique situation."

Councillor Adrian Foster, cabinet member for housing at council, said he appreciated the difficulties that being overcrowded can bring to any family.

"If a family is assessed as being statutory overcrowded, they would be offered the opportunity to make a homeless application to determine and assess any duties the authority may have towards the family," he said.

However, he added that any family who requires one additional bedroom is not likely to be considered as statutory overcrowded.