'Desperate' mum says 'I had to' as she takes daughter, 10, out of school

A desperate mum fears for her daughter's future after taking her out of full-time education. Stacie McKie claims she removed her 10-year-old daughter, Lacie from Birtenshaw School, in Fazakerley, because the school was allegedly not adhering to her education health and care plan (ECHP), which she claims has resulted in her daughter's mental health deteriorating.

An EHC Plan is a legal document which local authorities and schools are required to follow and identifies the help and support a child needs to meet their special educational, health and social care needs.

Stacie says her daughter has been diagnosed with epilepsy and is on both the ADHD pathway and the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pathway - a developmental disability affecting how people communicate, learn and behave. As a result, Lacie has an EHCP with a series of recommended learning and support practices to help her (and staff) manage the school day and ensure it is productive.

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Knowsley Council - who is also responsible for the management of Lacie's EHCP - said it is currently working with the family to find a solution. A spokesperson for the local authority said: "The place at the school remains open and all of the provision outlined in the Education Health Care Plan is available to the pupil. We are continuing to work with the family and the school in order for the pupil to return to school as soon as possible.”

In Lacie's EHCP, which the ECHO has seen, it includes a requirement for her school to provide daily 'intensive 1:1 support' and to afford her extra time to process information, tasks and conversations between both teachers and pupils. The plan also details how Lacie's conditions can lead to anti-social behaviours which need to be managed and mitigated by teaching and support staff.

Stacie claims her daughter's EHCP is not being fully followed by staff at Birtenshaw School and has resulted in Lacie becoming more upset and withdrawn both in school and at home.

The mum said: "I worry about Lacie's future in the education system and wonder whether she is ever going to get where she needs to be because it seems so broken to me.

"I have had to take her out of Birtenshaw because she is not getting the help she needs, but it's hard because Lacie likes routine and doesn’t understand why she can’t go to school."

A spokesperson for The Birtenshaw School said: "Birtenshaw School takes its responsibilities and obligations seriously and is investigating the issues raised in accordance with required procedures. The safety and wellbeing of pupils is our number one priority."

Nonetheless, Stacie said her daughter has now been out of school for the last three weeks, but remains hopeful something can be worked out. She said: "It’s hard because I’m not a teacher. I’m a just a mum who has to put my trust in Birtenshaw to give my child the best possible education and provide the support and care she needs.

"I really hope this can be addressed because I want my little girl to be back in school and able to enjoy her time there just like any other kid."