Who am I? - My name is Lisa and I am mum to Layla, aged 10. Layla has ADHD and sensory processing disorder. She has been out of school for almost 3 years and I have been fighting a long battle to try to get the council to identify a suitable school for her (special or mainstream). 

Summary - I feel the council has failed in it's duty to provide my daughter with full time education. This failure has had a devastating impact on my daughter. I have spent 3 years trying to work with the council and they haven't identified a school willing to her. I feel the only option to get action is to get legal support to point out the breach of the council's obligations and potentially take this to judicial review if there is no resolution before.

Call to action - We are raising £2000 in the first instance to cover advice and fees relating to legal correspondence with the council. Additional fees will apply if the case progresses to the next stage.

What are we trying to achieve? - Simply put we are trying to give Layla the education every child deserves so her future is as bright as she is! We can't wait another 3 years and need action now - and the legal support to deliver this. I cannot fund this myself so I am asking for help.

Layla was excluded at her first primary school aged just 7. She fled school grounds on to a busy street when she felt overwhelmed and given the safety issues, was excluded. 

A month or two later she was placed in another school, but without support similar issues presented and the school agreed that it was an unsuitable environment for Layla. 

Since then, I have navigated complex pathways to get Layla diagnosed and treated for ADHD and sensory processing disorders. She also has help for her anxiety and it has made a world of difference. She is school ready and the professionals have agreed she needs a chance. What is missing is a school (mainstream or special) that will give her this chance. She has an EHCP in place with support identified to help her manage school and the transition.

I am a carer to Layla and as she is out of school, I have had to give up most of work. It is so hard to see my child begging for a chance to do what most children take for granted - go to school every day. She is bright and missing out on so much formal education will have consequences for her future. In addition, she is missing out on the social side of school and being part of a community and she risks becoming isolated.

This can't go on! Layla deserves better and we need your help to get it for her.

Please donate what you can to support this cause  - your help will make a big difference

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