Mum hits out at services for autistic children

A CSP is a legally binding plan which requires a review of the child’s progress and support they receive, the council currently use an Individual Support Plan (IEP) which only reviews once a year.

Kerry Dennett, who’s son Jack, aged eight, has autism, said she asked for her son to have a CSP put in place when he was primary two, but was refused. Ms Dennett said: “Jack’s currently at Haldane Primary but he isn’t coping very well. He’s got extremely bad anxiety and he’s suffering in mainstream school. I asked about a CSP and the teacher said that they don’t do them here – but they do them in Argyll and Bute, only 15 minutes away.

“I don’t think it’s a case of 'not doing them’ I think they just feel that they aren’t needed, when they are. I’m not saying Jack would be a different boy if he had a CSP but I think it would have definitely been some help.

“I don’t believe for one second that there are no children in this area who would not benefit from a CSP.

“The staff at Haldane have been absolutely amazing, and done everything they can for Jack, but he’s getting lost in the class, there’s too many children and the teachers are under a lot of pressure.” Ms Dennett said next year’s merger of Haldane with St Kessog’s and Jamestown primaries is already giving Jack anxiety. She added: “We’ve applied for a placement at the Renton Language unit but we’re not hopeful, it’s already crowded.” Ms Dennett recently attended a meeting held by Glasgow City councillor Gerry Boyle for parents of autistic children in mainstream schools and was told as she was out with the authority, they couldn’t help.

She said: “I think the fact I even had to Glasgow for this meeting is telling enough. There’s a lot of misunderstanding in West Dunbartonshire about the needs of these children and their parents. There isn’t enough support.” SNP councillor Jonathan McColl has met Ms Dennett and has said he will organise and chair a meeting in the near future.

He told the Reporter: “Our schools and their staff can be very good at making adaptations to accommodate the specialist needs of children, but communication is key. There is no one size fits all solution and I’m helping the family to put in place the arrangements that best suit their needs.” Iain Nisbet, of the Education Law Unit of the Govan Law Centre, said: “For schools to be refusing CSPs in a very off-hand and off the books manner is not correct. If there is a request it should be followed up. Most children with additional support needs are currently in mainstream schools, and plenty have CSPs.” He added: “The purpose of a CSP is to make sure the different agencies providing support such as education, health and social work are working effectively together, if there isn’t, it can lead to difficulties in working toward the child’s best interest. There is a general legal duty that applies that the council should know all the pupils who have additional support needs and it is their duty to decide which of them need a CSP. More than that, where parents are asking for CSPs, there are a statutory process that they need to follow.” A spokeswoman for the council said the criteria for deciding whether or not a CSP is required is set in legislation and if a child’s need for coordinated support meets the criteria then a CSP is drawn up. She added: “West Dunbartonshire Council fully recognises the vulnerability of children and young people with Autism and is committed to the Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach. We offer extensive support to children with additional support needs which meet national guidelines, and school staff are regularly offered training on Autism.

“We also have specialist teachers and learning assistants available as well as a team of educational psychologists who can offer additional help to children and families. Any parent who wishes to discuss the support needs of their child should contact the head teacher of their school or the council’s pupil support team.”