North Wales MS and Chair of the Senedd Cross-Party Groups on Autism and on Disability, Mark Isherwood, has raised concerns in the Senedd that several disabled young adults in Wrexham and Flintshire have been refused funded residential college places at the nearest suitable College for their needs.
With Colleges Wales reporting that although 12.3% of learners at Further Education institutions self-identified as having “a disability”, this proportion had decreased over the last three years, Mr Isherwood recently called for a Welsh Government Statement after being contacted by several Wrexham and Flintshire parents whose disabled young adult children were all refused funded residential college places at the nearest suitable College for their needs.
He said:
“I call for a Welsh Government Statement on the social value provided by the Further Education Sector. April's report for CollegesWales, 'Demonstrating the Social Value of Further Education Colleges in Wales', states that although 12.3 per cent of learners at further education institutions self-identified as having ‘a disability’, this proportion has decreased over the last three years, and highlights the importance of allowing for an inclusive environment for all adults, including those with a disability. However, I have been contacted by several Wrexham and Flintshire parents whose Disabled young adult children, with Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Down's Syndrome, have all been refused funded residential college places at the nearest suitable college for their needs, just across the border in Gobowen, at their stage 2 Appeals. I call for a Statement accordingly.”
In her response, the Business Manager Jane Hutt MS said “It is something that we're constantly looking at in terms of our Disability Rights Taskforce, for example, the education group that's made up and working with disabled people and learners.”
She added:
“So, I'm sure that that's something that will be reflected not just in the Disability Rights Taskforce and report, but also in the work that is supported by the Education Secretary.”