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 Faculty and Useful resource Centre, in Strabane, between September 2016 and Might 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 stated she recognised the “misery” it brought about Harry’s mum.
Although he can stroll unaided, Harry, 13, used a particular chair at meal instances in class.
When the varsity 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 stated 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 fame”.
She is now preventing to vary the regulation in Northern Eire to make it tougher for workers 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 an announcement, the Division of Training stated it will assessment the ombudsman’s report with well being officers.
It stated it will take into account the report as a part of new draft steerage scheduled for publication within the 2024/25 college yr.
In an announcement, the Western Well being Belief stated it will contact the household to supply “a honest apology”.
It stated it accepted the findings of the ombudsman’s report.
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Printed: 3 November 20204