As I outlined in my previous answer, the conclusion of the NEPS representative who attended the case conference referred to by the Deputy was that it was not appropriate to allocate further resources to the child at that time. This was in the context that it was felt that an alternative school placement that might be more appropriate should be sought for the child. As reported by the Deputy, the Midlands Health Board autism team had recommended that he receive 15 hours per week resource teaching. The outcome of the NEPS recommendation has been that he receives five hours per week resource teaching plus full time support from a special needs assistant, pending the identification of a more suitable educational setting for him. In other words, the child has been receiving one-to-one support for the entire school week.
The midlands NEPS team has initiated a project to support schools where children with an autistic spectrum diagnosis are placed. The team has made great efforts to promote the welfare of this child and has monitored his progress on a regular basis. It has arranged in-service seminars for the teachers in these schools and has made follow up visits to them.
On April 28, a meeting was held between two NEPS psychologists from the midlands region, the child's parents and the principal of the school that he attends. At this meeting, the child's mother stated that she did not wish him to transfer to an alternative placement and that she wanted him to stay in his present school. It was therefore decided that parents and school would liaise closely over the management of the child's behaviour and that NEPS would recommend an increased allocation of resource hours to my Department's special education section. This process is now in train.
