Andrew
01-12-06, 11:10 AM
HUGH BOWRING
12 January 2006 12:19
A 12-year-old Norfolk boy with behavioural problems spent more than three years out of full-time education before finding a permanent placement in Suffolk, it emerged today.
Ryan Hawes suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and had been unable to settle at any school in Norfolk.
But since his move to Bramfield House, a special school near Halesworth for boys with behavioural difficulties, his manner has much improved.
Ryan's case highlights Norfolk's dire lack of resources in dealing with children with ADHD and echoes a stream of similar stories recently reported in the Evening News.
Today Ryan's mother Joanne Allen, 35, said although her son had displayed problems at infant school it was not until he moved to West Earlham Middle School that the situation got out of control.
“At first he did full days, but his behaviour soon got so bad that he only did half days and then just the mornings until the school and I agreed he should be transferred,” she said.
“From then he was sent from pillar to post as he tried different schools and also attended mornings only at specialist centres.
“Over four years he probably spent three and a half of those out of school if you consider all the times between places, the half days and the time off on exclusion.”
Just over a year ago Ryan was found a place at Bramfield House, about 30 miles away from Norwich, which he travels to on a daily basis in a taxi paid for by Norfolk County Council.
“He's been there a year now and socially he has improved a lot,” said Miss Allen, who lives in North Earlham with partner Gavin Hawes, 40, and their three children.
“He tends to be able to say what's bothering him now and open up, rather than going into a rage.
“Academically, his prospects have definitely improved too.
“It's made our lives a lot easier though it means Ryan has very long days, having to get up at 7.30am to go to school and not getting back until around 5pm.”
Miss Allen, whose other son Dean Hawes, 17, also has ADHD, said she was appalled by the lack of support for people in her family's situation.
“The situation is disgusting and it's getting worse as more and more children are diagnosed with it,” she said. “You're fighting a losing battle the whole time.
“When my children were diagnosed they were given medication and that was that, there was no-one to turn to.
“There needs to be much more investment in schools because that is where the starting point is.”
In 2000, Miss Allen founded the Little Devils support group for families affected by ADHD.
The volunteer-run group meets every Wednesday at the Cadge Road Community Centre, off Dereham Road, and provides parents and their children with the chance to discuss their problems and learn from each other, as well as arranging outings and festive parties.
About 13 families are currently involved with the group though there are plans for expansion.
Ros Vahey, head of pupil access and support at Norfolk County Council's Children's Services, said it was important that they continued to improve resources for special educational needs in Norfolk.
“Later this year we begin a detailed consultation, following a review of all special educational needs provision across the county and that will be an opportunity for parents, young people and numerous organisations to have their say on how we should develop provision to provide children and young people with a quality service across the county,” she said.
The council has recently secured £6 million to build a new complex needs school in King's Lynn.
Has your child been left without a school place? Call Alasdair McGregor at the Evening News on (01603) 772443 or email al.mcgregor@archant.co.uk
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED12%20Jan%202006%2012%3A19%3A27%3A553
12 January 2006 12:19
A 12-year-old Norfolk boy with behavioural problems spent more than three years out of full-time education before finding a permanent placement in Suffolk, it emerged today.
Ryan Hawes suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and had been unable to settle at any school in Norfolk.
But since his move to Bramfield House, a special school near Halesworth for boys with behavioural difficulties, his manner has much improved.
Ryan's case highlights Norfolk's dire lack of resources in dealing with children with ADHD and echoes a stream of similar stories recently reported in the Evening News.
Today Ryan's mother Joanne Allen, 35, said although her son had displayed problems at infant school it was not until he moved to West Earlham Middle School that the situation got out of control.
“At first he did full days, but his behaviour soon got so bad that he only did half days and then just the mornings until the school and I agreed he should be transferred,” she said.
“From then he was sent from pillar to post as he tried different schools and also attended mornings only at specialist centres.
“Over four years he probably spent three and a half of those out of school if you consider all the times between places, the half days and the time off on exclusion.”
Just over a year ago Ryan was found a place at Bramfield House, about 30 miles away from Norwich, which he travels to on a daily basis in a taxi paid for by Norfolk County Council.
“He's been there a year now and socially he has improved a lot,” said Miss Allen, who lives in North Earlham with partner Gavin Hawes, 40, and their three children.
“He tends to be able to say what's bothering him now and open up, rather than going into a rage.
“Academically, his prospects have definitely improved too.
“It's made our lives a lot easier though it means Ryan has very long days, having to get up at 7.30am to go to school and not getting back until around 5pm.”
Miss Allen, whose other son Dean Hawes, 17, also has ADHD, said she was appalled by the lack of support for people in her family's situation.
“The situation is disgusting and it's getting worse as more and more children are diagnosed with it,” she said. “You're fighting a losing battle the whole time.
“When my children were diagnosed they were given medication and that was that, there was no-one to turn to.
“There needs to be much more investment in schools because that is where the starting point is.”
In 2000, Miss Allen founded the Little Devils support group for families affected by ADHD.
The volunteer-run group meets every Wednesday at the Cadge Road Community Centre, off Dereham Road, and provides parents and their children with the chance to discuss their problems and learn from each other, as well as arranging outings and festive parties.
About 13 families are currently involved with the group though there are plans for expansion.
Ros Vahey, head of pupil access and support at Norfolk County Council's Children's Services, said it was important that they continued to improve resources for special educational needs in Norfolk.
“Later this year we begin a detailed consultation, following a review of all special educational needs provision across the county and that will be an opportunity for parents, young people and numerous organisations to have their say on how we should develop provision to provide children and young people with a quality service across the county,” she said.
The council has recently secured £6 million to build a new complex needs school in King's Lynn.
Has your child been left without a school place? Call Alasdair McGregor at the Evening News on (01603) 772443 or email al.mcgregor@archant.co.uk
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED12%20Jan%202006%2012%3A19%3A27%3A553