The mom of an autistic boy strapped to a chair in class says she feels “vindicated” after an investigation dominated he was “restrained unnecessarily”.
Deirdre Shakespeare and husband Rodney, from County Tyrone in Northern Eire, fought a prolonged marketing campaign after autistic son Harry was strapped to the chair at Knockavoe College and Useful resource Centre, in Strabane, between September 2016 and Could 2017.
Deirdre Shakespeare with son Harry. Shakespeare feels vindicated by an ombudsman’s report suggesting her son was unnecessarily restrained
Restraint ‘pointless’
In her report, ombudsman Margaret Kelly dominated the restraint was pointless. She additionally mentioned she recognised the “misery” it induced Harry’s mum.
Although he can stroll unaided, Harry, 13, used a particular chair at meal occasions in class.
When the college claimed it was having issues shifting Harry to the eating room, the Western Well being Belief added a wheeled base to the chair.
Vindication
Shakespeare mentioned she and her husband have spent over half of Harry’s life “pursuing the reality to lastly give us vindication and put an finish to the misrepresentation that has stained our household’s status”.
She is now combating to vary the regulation in Northern Eire to make it tougher for employees to restrain pupils in particular colleges.
Kelly dominated that in including a wheeled base to the chair, the Western Well being Belief had failed to think about Harry’s “human rights”.
Different reactions
In a press release, the Division of Schooling mentioned it could evaluate the ombudsman’s report with well being officers.
It mentioned it could contemplate the report as a part of new draft steering scheduled for publication within the 2024/25 college 12 months.
In a press release, the Western Well being Belief mentioned it could contact the household to supply “a honest apology”.
It mentioned it accepted the findings of the ombudsman’s report.
Associated:
Revealed: 3 November 20204
