Hertfordshire's education authority must adopt new policies for children with hyperactivity problems in response to recent cases in Borehamwood, according to a local councillor.

Last week County Councillor Brian York questioned the county council about its approach to educating children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

He referred, in particular, to the case of a 14-year-old Borehamwood boy who is prone to violence as a result of ADHD, and has had just one week of schooling in two years.

Hertfordshire County Council claimed it was giving new guidance to schools about ADHD and said it was launching a children's mental health unit to address the issue.

Mr York said: "There are children with ADHD who are getting an extremely poor service this is something that the council does need to take very seriously."

A Borehamwood mother, Debbie Bracey, has been pleading with the council to find her son, Ashley, a permanent school place since September 1999. Ashley, who has been expelled from five schools for violent behaviour, was waiting for a school place for 12 months until January of this year.

The council then found him a boarding school in Kent, but he was sent home after a week following an attack on a staff member. He has not had any education since.

Mr York said: "The system has failed this boy because he is not getting an education and his future is now looking bleak."

Mrs Bracey, of Vale Avenue, is desperate to find a residential school place for Ashley because she is worried about the effect his behaviour is having on her two other children.

Sharon Galloway, of Arundel Drive, sent her nine-year-old son, who has ADHD, to live with family in Italy last year because she was receiving little social services support.

She argued that special schools were needed for children with the nervous disorder, which, according to doctors, is particularly prevalent in Borehamwood.

"These children are being sent to normal schools and they are falling through the system they are leaving schools with no future of going back," she said.

At a meeting last week, the council's executive member for children, schools and families, Robert Gordon, said that the authority recognised ADHD as a medical condition.

A new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service will be launched by the council in April next year, which will develop policies to cater for the needs of ADHD children.

Meanwhile, the county council is continuing its efforts to find a place for Ashley at a suitable residential school, to ease the strain on Mrs Bracey and her family.

October 24, 2001 10:55