Policy change could force residential facility closure

Children with severe learning difficulties in Bath and North East Somerset could end up in care if the "life-changing" residential facility they attend closes - as expected - at the end of the school year.

- John Wimperis Local democracy reporter

For two decades, students at Fosse Way School in Westfield, inset, who have autism and need the opportunity to develop social skills and independence outside of school hours, have stayed at Fosse Way House four days a week. Bath and North East Somerset Council has funded the places through students’ education and health care plans (EHCPs).

But the council is now no longer funding the places, which the Partnership Trust that runs Fosse Way House has warned leaves it little option but to close it.

New EHCPs say the children’s needs can be met in normal school hours but the Partnership Trust has warned that the children’s needs have not changed and some could end up in care without the specialist support and education Fosse Way House provides.

Addressing a full meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council on May 22, residential education manager at Fosse Way Jason Towells told councillors that Fosse Way House had been rated “outstanding” by Ofsted for the last three years and described as “life-changing.”