(UK) Somerset: Autistic boy out of school since Oct; no special school places left

Mar 12, 2020, Weston, Worle, Somerset Mercury: Grandmother speaks out after grandson out of education since last year https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/education/grandmother-speaks-after-7-year-old-denied-education-1-6556971 The grandmother of a seven-year-old autistic boy is desperate for more support as her grandchild has been out of full-time education since October. Joseph John Howley, who has Asperger's, was taken out of his primary school after they said they could 'no longer meet his needs' three weeks into term. North Somerset Council recommended Joseph attend Westhaven School, in Uphill, which caters for children with special educational needs and disabilities, however, there is currently a shortage of spaces at the school. Joseph was allocated a home tutor in February this year, but after three weeks of private tutoring his grandmother June Howley was told the tutor could no longer come until 'separate paperwork' had been carried out - a process which could take more than a month…. 'Joseph is certainly not the only one on his own. There are children like him with parents trying to get them into school…. A spokesman from North Somerset Council said: 'There is currently a shortage of special school places within North Somerset. 'The council is continuing to explore possible solutions to try and resolve this problem….