'Ignored' schoolboy told to move schools

Emma said her son had been "completely ignored" by Worcestershire County Council

The family of a Worcestershire schoolboy with special educational needs have claimed he is being "completely ignored" by the local council over his schooling.

Joseph, 15, from Flyford Flavell, has autistic spectrum disorder and extreme anxiety. Since October, he has attended N-Able, a site in Worcester describing itself as offering "therapeutic learning".

But Worcestershire County Council has said he must now attend another site, Norton College, which his mum Emma calls unsuitable as it is "too big" for him.

The council said that Joseph's current placement was only a temporary measure, adding that in Norton it had identified for him an independent specialist school able to meet his needs.

The issue centres on the technical requirements of Joseph's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

N-Able is classed as an unregistered provision and therefore cannot be named on an EHCP, unlike Norton.

Adam Johnston, director of children's services at the council, said: "We fully appreciate how important it is for families to feel their child is in the right provision and making progress.

"N-Able has been a supportive interim arrangement, however as it is not a registered provider it cannot be offered as a full-time education placement that is named within an EHCP."

Emma said Joseph joined N-Able last year after his previous school said his needs had "outgrown" them, and was sent to N-Able until other provision could be found.

But according to Emma, in the case of her son, the solution should not come by way of Norton.

She said of Joseph: "He won't engage [at Norton College] – he'll shut down. I know in my heart of hearts it's not a case of 'if' but when it falls apart."

She has visited Norton College twice with her son and it is "just not the right setting for Joe".

"We pleaded and listed all the reasons why the placement wasn't right, but more importantly my son gave his wishes and views and they have been completely ignored," she said.

"All I want for him is a good education. I'm not asking for 10 GCSEs – just the basics so ideally he can get by on his own in the world."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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