Mum still looking for school in Shropshire for her autistic son after facing a year of rejections

Ashton, who is autistic, non-verbal and has a learning delay, currently attends a specialist school in Shropshire and is supported by a local residential care setting.

But last year, Naomi claims she was informed by the school that they could no longer meet Ashton's needs and that an alternative place would need to be found for him.

One year on, and despite the support from family, the residential home where Ashton receives care, Shropshire Council and the CAMHS team (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), a school still hasn't been found.

Naomi said she had been told by the independent schools that they didn't have the space or staffing to accommodate Ashton.

Now, Naomi says there is talk of finding a school for Ashton outside of the county, but this would involve either a two to three-hour commute or moving Ashton to a new residential care setting.

She said: "The other option was to go further afield but that would involve changing his residential setting and sending him two to three hours away which wouldn't work because we would never see him and he loves his family.

"Taking that away from him and and changing all that it's absolutely awful so I have said no.

"The residential home is incredible, you couldn't think of a better residential home, he just loves it there.

"He couldn't travel two hours a day, so it's not only moving schools – that's already a big change in his life – but also building relationships with new school staff, care staff and not seeing his family as much and I just think it would absolutely throw him.

"As a parent it's heartbreaking because being away from him – I couldn't sleep. Because Ashton is non-verbal you don't know what he would be thinking, like 'where's mum I haven't seen her in two weeks?'."

Naomi has since launched a Government petition to fund the provision of small local schools for children with complex special educational needs and disabilities in the area, so they don't have to be sent further away.

To sign the petition visit petition.parliament.uk.

Karen Levell, service manager – SEND & Inclusion, Shropshire Council said: "Shropshire Council takes the wellbeing and education of children and young people very seriously and will always work with them and their families to ensure their needs are met.

"We are in regular contact with the family to actively identify an appropriate education provision within a reasonable travelling distance of the home.

"We recognise that it can be unsettling when a change of placement is necessary and that, in some instances, changes in educational placement require a multi-agency response due to the complexity of needs.

"We are therefore working closely with education, health and care partners to ensure a positive resolution and support is being offered to the current setting and the family."