Overnight placements for Send pupils under threat

The overnight placement has allowed Ruben's world to become bigger

One mother says she fears her son will struggle as the school he attends may have to stop its residential service.

Fosse Way School, in Midsomer Norton, offers a 24-hour, residential option for some children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

However, Bath and North East Somerset Council has withdrawn its funding for the service, saying there are no children in its care who qualify for a residential placement. It said current pupils will be able to complete their one-year placements.

"We, as parents, will have to pick up the pieces. I'll have to work twice as hard," said Sharon Wilson, whose son Ruben, 15, goes to Fosse Way.

Ms Wilson said Ruben is talking to more people since going to Fosse Way

Ruben, who is autistic and non-verbal, has been living at Fosse Way for a year.

"Last year, Ruben's world was small," Ms Wilson said. "Since being at Fosse Way, his bubble has gotten bigger and he's talking to more people."

She said she fears he will lose all the skills he has learned and his world will "get smaller again".

Jessica Clark has an autistic son who went to Fosse Way House in his teens.

He is now 20 and lives in supported housing.

"You always worry about what happens when we as parents pass away," Ms Clark said. "What is his care going to look like?"

Jessica Clark said her autistic son is living a happy life since attending Fosse Way

Jason Towells, residential education manager at Fosse Way, said it had been graded as outstanding by the education watchdog Ofsted for the past three years.

"We do a lot of work on preparing for adulthood," Mr Towells said. "We want them to access the community and build friendships."

Mr Towells said the school believes there are many students who require a 24-hour curriculum.

However, Mr May said: "For the academic year starting September 2025, no children have been identified whose needs would be met by the residential provision at Fosse Way."

He added: "When a child is placed in Fosse Way, it is with the clear understanding that it is for one academic year and the children currently placed there will be able to complete this year-long placement.

"Fosse Way House is not a council-run facility and decisions about its future are matters for The Partnership Trust whose work we value."

A spokesperson for The Partnership Trust added: "Currently seven young people have been placed at Fosse Way House by the council. Such a placement was deemed as being necessary and appropriate when each child's Education Health Care Plans were reviewed last year.

"The professionals who work with the young people understand their complex needs well, and all evidence suggests that they are thriving at Fosse Way School and Fosse Way House.

"Currently, only children who go to Fosse Way School can access Fosse Way House. As all children are funded through local authorities, over 90% of which come through BANES Council, our options are very, very limited if the council determines not to place children there."