I'm not sure where this stands at all.
My eldest son, almost 19 had his last day at his SEN school on Friday.
He was in the High Dependency Unit and on a staff ratio of 1-to-1 at all times.
He needs constant round the clock care and supervision. Has the developmental age of a one year old baby (no speech at all and no communication or sign language), he's still at the rattle stage (shakes a baby's rattle).
He is a gentle young man (not at all aggressive) but has absolutely no sense of danger. He doesn't know the difference between a lake or a swimming pool.
For his last few days at the school they decided to take him on a residential stay to an outdoor pursuits place.
I really didn't want him to go on this trip (I was worried sick) and emailed his school staff putting my feelings and wishes across.
However, as he is now over 18 and legally an adult he no longer needs parental consent (should add that he is in residential care and doesn't live with me and the other children due to the high level of care he needs). My youngest has a different disability.
They insisted he would be fine and went ahead and took him (knowing how I felt).
So at 11am (ish) on Friday morning (his last day at the outdoor pursuits and his very last day at school) I had a phone call from his teacher saying that my son had been missing and had turned up safe and well (I am so thankful they didn't tell me until he had been found or I don't know what I would have done).
Apparently the police had been called and my son had been found wandering through fields (he had managed to get 3 huge fields away from the building where they were staying).
It turned out he had gone out of a fire escape and exited the building without anyone noticing until he was completely out of sight.
Bearing in mind he is care planned as needing 1-to-1 supervision at all times!!!
I am so thankful that he was found safe and well.
I went over to see him straight after and he gave me the biggest hug ever!!
I can't even think about what would have happened if he had gone in the other direction as that is where the lakes are (I've had a look on google earth).
School have only given me basic information and obviously have now broken up for the six week holiday.
There are just so many questions unanswered.
The main one being where was his 1-to-1 staff when he exited the fire door? How did he manage to get 3 huge fields away without anyone noticing?
The most important thing is that he's safe and was completely oblivious to his ordeal (think it was the most freedom he has ever had) but it's really playing on my mind.