Somerset Council leaves Eight-Year-Old Autistic Girl Without School Placement as Term Starts
12/10/23, 21:00
A Somerset family says their eight-year-old autistic daughter has not been given a permanent school place, leaving her out of formal education again at the start of the academic year. The story was reported by ITV West Country
In Somerset, an eight-year-old girl named Makita has once again begun a new school year without a place that meets her needs. Her mother, Ellie Elliot, says Makita is falling further behind and missing out on essential learning and social development. According to ITV News West Country, Ellie already has two children with autism, and while a specialist place for her son has now been confirmed, no school place has yet been secured for Makita.
Makita formerly struggled in mainstream school settings, which were unable to cater appropriately for her needs. Ellie describes her daughter’s reading and writing as being around the level expected of reception or Year 1 children, despite her being eight. At home, the family tries to work on education, but they say it is no substitute for a formal school environment.
Somerset Council has acknowledged that finding appropriate school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) remains a challenge. The council officials say they are bidding for more funding to improve services and capacity. Councillor Tessa Munt, lead member for children, families and education, said the council is committed to bid for government resources to help expand or improve specialist provision.
For Makita, the lack of a proper school placement is more than academic. Her mother says the absence of stability and peer contact is affecting her wellbeing. “She just isn’t getting an education. She’s so, so far behind where you would hope for a child her age to be, and it just affects everything in her life. And she’s not happy.”
The case is one among many raising concerns about the adequacy of SEND provision in the UK. As diagnostic referrals increase, parents across regions say councils struggle to keep up with demand for specialist places. Critics argue this leads to unacceptable delays and children being left without suitable schooling at critical ages.
Full report:
‘She’s not happy’ — Mum speaks out as eight-year-old autistic daughter has no school place, ITV West Country