Victory for mum after chiefs initially refused to fund special needs place for disabled boy

A DALE mother has won her fight with council bosses who had refused to fund a placement at a special needs school for her disabled boy.

Four-year-old Teddy Berriman lives in Burnt Houses with his mum, Nicola Short, who provides round-the-clock care for him.
Teddy suffers from three types of epilepsy – focal epilepsy, absence epilepsy as well as severe seizures.
As well as having a strict diet due to intolerances, Teddy is incontinent. He is also autistic, partially sighted and unable to feed himself.
Last year, Ms Short applied to Durham County Council for a split-school placement. Teddy would have attended Butterknowle Primary School for three days a week and spent two days a week at Percy Hedley School, in Newcastle. It caters for children with additional needs offering specialist teaching and therapies.
However, Durham County Council claimed Teddy’s needs could be met at a mainstream school. Ms Short decided to fight her case so she could get her little boy the care she says he deserves.
A tribunal was held last month and the result was confirmed last week.
Ms Short said: “I got a call to say it was in my favour. I just started to cry happy tears. I rang Teddy’s dad and he started crying too.
“It is good. I was determined to fight for it. It has taken a big pressure off my shoulders knowing that Teddy is going to get what he deserves and he needs to help him progress. He is going to get that start he needs in life.”
Ms Short believes a two-day weekly placement at Percy Hedley School would cost £15,000 if privately funded – an opportunity which would otherwise be out of reach for the family. She said: “The schools are happy because they know it is what I wanted. They are willing to work together to do what is best for Teddy.”
Durham County Council has agreed to offer £60 per week towards travel expenses.
Ms Short said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored us or took the time to say hello to us. Teddy loves people. Just by someone saying hello, that can make such a big difference to him and put a smile on his face.
“The money raised before has contributed towards his schooling to date. Any further funding is going to go towards equipment and future treatment.
“Even when Teddy is ill, he is always smiling. The other day. I told him he was such a brave boy and he needed a medal. He said to me, no I don’t need a medal, you need a medal for all you do for me.”