Parents seek help to pursue legal actions

Photo: Studio G Photography

LEARNING mentor Emma Jackson with pupil Jayden Whyatt of Bright Futures School.

OLDHAM parents are fighting the case for receiving help at home as they support children with autism.

A group of six parents whose children with autism all attend Bright Futures School, in Oldham Road, have launched a campaign for home-based education support.

They hope to secure this extra help through their children's Education Health and Care (EHC) plans - a legal document drawn up by the local authority to describe a child's or young person's special educational, health and social care needs.

The six parents launched a crowdfunding campaign on Monday to raise £3,600 for legal guidance from a solicitor and legal representation from a barrister to fight for this special provision at tribunals. The parents will each bring an individual case - the initial funding will cover one tribunal. It is thought each case will cost about £5,000 in legal fees.

Head of development at Bright Futures School Zoe Thompson, who is also one of the parents bringing one of the appeals, said: "The core difficulties at the heart of autism mean that our children struggle to lead 'ordinary lives'.

"Before their placements at Bright Futures School, some have contemplated suicide; they are unable to take part in many of the activities and life opportunities that their typically developing peers take for granted.

"Research shows that parent-led social communication reduces the severity of the autism, yet families are still unable to access this unless they pay privately.

"We aim to change that. We are each making the case to Special Educational Needs (SEN) tribunal that this special type of 'social communication' provision in the home is essential to meet some of the needs outlined in our children's EHC plans."

"If we are successful, we will help other families to secure similar provision by making our legal arguments available."

The first case has already gone to tribunal and although the family were unsuccessful in securing the provision for their son, they did win the legal argument that social communication provision qualifies as 'educational provision'. The other cases will follow from May on.

Professor of developmental psychopathology at University College, London, Peter Hobson, known for his work on autism, said: "I believe there is huge benefit to providing expert-led, intensive supervision and support to parents and/or other caregivers, by carefully monitoring and discussing interpersonal child-caregiver exchanges."

To donate visit bit.ly/2o EyywH