Whitburn mam left ‘worried and frustrated’ over securing a SEND school place for her four-year-old son
A Whitburn mam has spoken of her ‘frustration’ at trying to secure a SEND school place for her son.
A Whitburn mam is calling on South Tyneside Council to help secure the correct SEND school provision for her four-year-old son.
Tyne Doyle has spoken of her ‘worry’ and ‘frustration’ after her son, Roman, was hospitalised after he ingested gems due to not being properly supervised while at school.
Roman is autistic, non-verbal, and has complex needs - including a condition where he has a strong urge to eat or ingest non-food items.
As a result, he needs constant one-to-one supervision, which is something that Tyne says he can only get at Keelman's Way School, in Hebburn, or at Sunningdale School, in Sunderland.
‘They aren’t doing what is in his best interests’
Tyne has expressed her disappointment at South Tyneside Council over their handling of Roman’s case and highlighted that the local authority is reluctant to send him to school out of borough.
The 27-year-old said: “It makes me feel really worried, frustrated and overwhelmed because I’m constantly having to fight for the support that Roman needs.
“The caseworker said she had sent a consultation to Sunningdale School but when I contacted the school to confirm this, they haven’t received it.
“It took more than a week for the caseworker to actually acknowledge that it hadn’t been sent and that there isn’t a timeframe in place for it.
“There is only one SEND school in South Tyneside that takes in the most severe cases and I do believe Roman falls into that category.
“I’ve been told that Keelman’s is overstretched but if they can’t find a place with all the resources that meets Roman’s needs then they will have to go out of borough.
“They aren’t doing what is in his best interests, they are doing what is convenient for them.”
‘I’ve been fighting so hard’
Tyne has also explained how much relief it would bring knowing that Roman was being supported in the correct setting while he is at school.
The mam-of-one added: “Roman has been offered a place at the Sea View Hub but it doesn’t meet his needs and I’ve been told that if funding isn't available for a particular term, then he will have to go back into mainstream education.
“I couldn’t put into words what it would mean to get him into a school that supports him - I can see how much Roman is struggling on a day-to-day basis.
“I’ve been fighting so hard to get help so to get a positive outcome would finally allow me to breathe, it would mean absolutely everything.
“There would be so much relief knowing he isn’t just surviving but actually supported in a safe environment.”
‘No final decision has been made’
South Tyneside Council has stated that it will continue to work with Tyne to ensure that the most appropriate provision for Roman is identified.
A spokesperson for the local authority commented: “We understand how important it is for families to have clarity and reassurance about education provision for children with additional needs.
“In this case, the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is still within the statutory process and has not yet been finalised.
“A school place has been secured to meet the child’s needs for his transition into school in September 2026. However, no final decision has been made about long‑term provision at this stage.
“The council continues to work with the family and relevant professionals as part of the statutory process to ensure the most appropriate provision is identified.”