Mum's Horror: Son Escapes SEND Group Unsupervised

A distressing incident occurred recently when a nine-year-old autistic boy, William, was found wandering unsupervised on a busy main road in Huyton. His mother, Gemma, stated that William was supposed to be receiving one-to-one care at a local sensory group at the time of his escape.

Gemma described feeling "sick to her stomach" and "in shock" after being informed that her non-verbal son had managed to leave the premises. She expressed deep concern, emphasizing that the safety of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at such groups must be absolute, as "the next child might not be so lucky."

The sensory group, Moving Senses, which provides respite care for children across Merseyside, has initiated an investigation into the incident. The organization stated that they have never lost a child off-site before and are reviewing their safety procedures. The incident has been referred to the local authority designated officer (LADO) for further review.

Gemma collected William from the center, stating her preference for him to be home where she knows he is safe. She highlighted the immense difficulty and trust involved in leaving a vulnerable child in the care of others, especially one who cannot easily communicate his needs or experiences.