A YOUNG PERSON with severe learning difficulties has been given a place at a specialist educational needs school after a county council U-turn.

Denny Black, four, of Hensingham was initially denied a place at Whitehaven's Mayfield School and was faced with attending a mainstream school, despite having highly complex needs.

An ongoing Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision crisis in West Cumbria means there is not enough funding to meet demand for the places needed.

His mum Karen Stamper said: “I got a lot of help from Sally Godfrey, part of the SEND team and Ruth Ramsay.”

Ruth had been in Karen’s position herself in 2019 when her son, who also has complex needs, was denied a place at Mayfield.

“She’s been absolutely fantastic and she’s helped a lot of people.”

The county council U-turn after her appeal was a relief for Karen.

“It’s not just about their education and that’s what I think a lot of people miss," she said. "That kind of environment Mayfield can offer – it affects all aspects of their future.”

Denny’s severe learning disabilities and severe autism mean that he is non-verbal and prone to lashing out. He also has no danger awareness.

A spokesperson for Cumbria County Council said: “The council is aware that concerns have been raised with regard to children and young people undergoing assessment for an EHCP, and are working with Department for Education, individual parents and groups to look at these concerns and see how best to address them.

“We know the current system isn’t perfect, and both the SEND team and the SEND Improvement Programme, which includes parent representatives, are working hard to address the issues.”

Karen added: “I think should intervention be left for a later date it’s a lot harder to get the older they get. It just causes further problems, they’re going to be more stressed.”

The county council is responsible for allocating places and is lobbying the Government to secure more funding.