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 at the end of the school year, as expected.

For two decades, students at Fosse Way School in Westfield 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 had been funding placements at Fosse Way House through students’ Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). However, the council is no longer funding any places, leaving the Partnership Trust, which runs the facility, warning that closure is now likely.

Although new EHCPs state the children’s needs can be met within normal school hours, the Trust insists their needs remain the same and warns that without the specialist support and education Fosse Way House provides, some children may end up in care.

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.”

He said: “The Partnership Trust feel that a provision like Fosse Way House should be celebrated by B&NES and that serious consideration needs to be taken to decisions made about withdrawing funding for children accessing this.”

Currently seven children stay at Fosse Way House. Mr Towells warned that, without Fosse Way House, some may refuse to come to school and some could end up in the council care system.

Also addressing the council over the issue, councillor Shaun Hughes (Midsomer Norton North, Independent) said Fosse Way House services for children with severe learning difficulties were “unique and vital.” He said: “It allows them to learn and develop in a supportive environment during the week, while still remaining in their loving family homes during the weekends and holidays.

“This isn’t just a school; it’s a lifeline. It supports children with some of the most complex learning needs including high levels of autism, helping them build skills which may one day allow for independent living — something most of us take for granted.”

But council leader Kevin Guy (Bathavon South, Liberal Democrat) insisted that the decision about what provision to include in children’s EHCPs had been made by education experts at the council. He said: “This is not a budget decision, its an education decision. Our experts have made this decision and it’s not about finance.

“No finance has been withdrawn for these kids so you saying that the local authority has withdrawn funding is accurate.”

Mr Hughes said it was “clearly wrong” to say that there were no children who required the level of service provided by Fosse Way House. A council report which went before a council scrutiny panel debating the issue earlier in May said that no families had challenged the EHCPs through requests for mediation or tribunals.