(UK) Bournemouth: severely autistic, nonverbal 6yo has no school place

Jan 31, 2026, Daily Echo: Bournemouth mother says autistic son 'failed by the system' 

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/25808765.bournemouth-mother-says-autistic-son-failed-system/ 

A MOTHER from Bournemouth says her autistic son is being “failed by the system” after waiting more than six months for a place at a specialist school.

Emma Georgiou, 37, said her six-year-old son, Jamal Lamri, who is non-verbal and has severe autism and learning difficulties, has been without formal education for months.

Emma, a mother of two, moved from Manchester to Bournemouth to be closer to her family but said the transition has been hard as they struggle to secure appropriate schooling for Jamal.

She said: “We’ve been trying to find him a school and get him into education, but it’s just a really tough time for us.

"We’re just fighting the system all the time and it’s exhausting.”

Emma said that Jamal struggles to regulate his emotions and needs a specialist setting where staff are trained to support children with complex needs. . . .

She added that she had been told Jamal was a high-priority case but feels progress has been painfully slow.

Emma said: “He’s meant to be at the top of the list because his needs are so high, but it feels like nothing is happening.

"It’s really sad and incredibly hard. I’m exhausted.” Emma Georgiou, 37 and her six-year-old son, Jamal Lamri (Image: Submitted)She calls for more investment and support for SEND children including more schools and teachers, saying that vulnerable children are being overlooked.

Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale earlier said she has heard similar concerns from families since being elected.

She said: “The SEND system is broken and it’s not serving children, their families or our schools.

“This government is determined to right this wrong, and recent discussions have been about hearing directly from those who know the system best.”

The Government’s long-awaited Schools White Paper, outlining planned reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities system, has been delayed until 2026.