Council will not support my son's complex care and transport needs

Worried mum accuses local authority of discrimination claiming their decision is putting the safety of her severely learning disabled son at risk

- PAUL BEHAN

A devoted mum is demanding a national review of transport provision for adults who are learning disabled across all health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) in Scotland.

Margaret Roberts, from Ayr, claims her severely learning disabled son Brandon, is the victim of 'discrimination'- because South Ayrshire Council's HSCP won't help fund and meet his complex care and transport needs.

And Margaret claims the discrimination of learning disabled adults' care needs is more widespread - after discovering that many other Scottish local authorities DO fund transport costs.

She said: "This is an atrocious case of discrimination and it's an issue that needs to be urgently reviewed by the Scottish Government.

"Basically, the South Ayrshire Council HSCP were trying to make Brandon fit a service that didn't fit him and I am not going to allow this. Instead, I am challenging the system and I am requesting that the Scottish Government, conducts a national review of transport provision for adults with learning disabilities - across all HSCPs."

Ayrshire Post previously told how Margaret and Brandon were left in limbo last year following a dispute with South Ayrshire Council's HSCP over Brandon's health and social care needs.

At the time Margaret claimed she'd been forced to adopt additional caring pressures for Brandon, after a fallout with social care chiefs.

The dispute arrived as a result of the local authority's proposed new day-care service package which identified Arrol Park, in Doonfoot Road, Ayr, for Brandon's health and social care needs.

However, Margaret labelled the set-up 'unsuitable and dangerous for Brandon,' because Brandon has a history of absconding and has no road safety awareness. She was also told that the council would not help fund transport arrangements for Brandon to attend.