July 9, 2021, Sutherland Northern Times: Rogart father hits out at Highland Council over lack of services in Sutherland for children with learning disabilities https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/rogart-father-hits-out-at-highland-council-over-lack-of-serv-243876/
N. Scotland
A SUTHERLAND father has accused Highland Council of failing children with learning disabilities living in the county.
Rogart resident Leslie Sharp, whose son has autism, said there were no learning disability schools, no overnight respite facilities and no learning disability youth activity groups in the area.
“The lack of services for learning disabled children in Sutherland is astonishing”, he said. “The county seems to get continually discarded as irrelevant to Highland Council’s priorities.”
He has flagged up his concerns to local councillors and MSPs, but is not satisfied with the responses he has received. …
This prompted him to submit a Freedom of Information request to the local authority in a bid to officially ascertain the services available.
The nearest learning disability schools are St Duthus in Tain and St Clements in Dingwall, meaning Sutherland children are faced with a lengthy journey with diversions for home pick-ups.
“A journey of 30 minutes can easily take an hour or more, and for children with learning disabilities this presents challenges for safety due to behaviour and frustration,” said Mr Sharp….
Sutherland County Committee chairman Cllr Richard Gale said: "I do agree with many of the comments made about the lack of facilities for disabled children in Sutherland and that has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. Sadly the provision in Sutherland is just not adequate."
He has passed on Mr Sharp's concerns to Highland Council education and disabled services managers….
Sutherland MSP Maree Todd said: “It's vitally important that children with learning disabilities and their families are supported through accessible, specialised schooling and respite facilities.
“The Scottish Government has committed up to £1.75 million [$2.43M U.S.] of funding for the Haven Centre – a multi-purpose facility for disabled children and young people in Inverness – which is due to begin construction later this year. The centre will comprise of respite flats, an indoor and outdoor play centre and childcare facilities.
“In saying that, I recognise there is a strong case for localised services in Sutherland to avoid long journeys to Thurso and Inverness. As the local MSP, any proposal or application for such a service would gain my full support."…
A Highland Council spokesman said: “Appropriate adjustments are made to make sure young people with additional needs can be included in schools within their communities.
“The nearest special schools are St Duthus in Tain and St Clements in Dingwall and there is specialist provision in Wick and Thurso. …
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