THE EVESHAM family of a child with complex physical and mental health needs has spoken out about feeling let down by the system, which is tasked with supporting them.
Terri Biddle, mum of 13-year-old Kason Jenkinson, feels frustrated by the time it is taking to find adapted housing the family desperately needs so they can keep their son safe.
Kason suffers from severe tonic-clonic epilepsy, autism, global developmental delay, and type 1 diabetes. He has severe learning difficulties and the mental age of two. He is non-verbal and relies entirely on his parents for care.
Now, a rapidly developing teenager, he is 5ft 9’ tall and weighs 101kg. He has challenging behaviours and is a constant danger to himself.
“I have a 15-stone two-year-old who has no danger awareness whatsoever. Kason would run off the edge of a cliff,” Terri told the Observer.
Self-harming incidents occur daily, and include putting holes in his bedroom wall with his own head and in other walls.
The situation is further exacerbated as the promised, much-needed respite provision fell through earlier this year, and the county council has failed to provide him with a place of education.
The family, which includes dad Andy (his full-time carer) and a 12-year-old sister, lives in a three-bedroom property owned by Platform Housing.
Kason and his dad, Andy. s
The stairs, however, pose a constant danger, and the tiny bathroom is inadequate for Kason, who is incontinent, requiring the use of adult pads. He is currently changed on the living room floor as the bathroom is too small to lie him down in. (It’s also laminate so easier to keep clean.)
Terri said that she now sleeps on a mattress and has given up on having her own bed, as it has been broken so many times by her son. She and Andy have not had a single night to themselves for two years.
A bungalow would be ideal, but the family has been told there is very little availability, so a downstairs room for Kason with padded walls, a waterproof bed, and equipped to suit his needs, with an ensuite wetroom, is what the family is hoping for.
Wychavon District Council, which manages housing allocation, agreed in October 2023 that the family required a move to a more suitable property, but the family is stuck in Band 2 allocation (for health issues).
Although encouraged by Wychavon to bid for properties with a large garden, so an adapted home can be built with the help of a disability facility grant, a suitable home has not been secured.
Terri Biddle and Kason. s
To be a top priority, they need to be in Band 1, which Terri believes they qualify for.
“I have been trying to stress for a long time that this is a safety issue.
Every time he comes down the stairs, we are just holding our breath.
“He will throw himself around, and could have a seizure or collapse if he were to have a hypo due to his diabetes,” Terri said.
When asked what the council was doing to help the family, Laura Marshall, head of housing services, Wychavon District Council, responded.
She said: “We are aware of the family’s circumstances and recognise how difficult this must be for them.
“While we can’t discuss individual cases in detail, we want to reassure the family that their needs are being taken seriously.
“We are working with partner organisations, including their landlord, health professionals, and our Promoting Independent Living Service, to explore whether adaptations could help make their current home more suitable.
“Housing needs across South Worcestershire are managed through the South Worcestershire Housing Allocations Policy.
“This document outlines who can join the housing register, how priority is assessed, and the process for requesting a review if individuals believe their banding does not accurately reflect their situation.”
From the age of two and a half to this July, Kason satisfactorily attended Vale of Evesham School (which specialises in looking after children with special needs) until they were unable to adequately facilitate his care and education.
Since December 6, 2024, WCC has known they needed to provide Kason with an alternative by this September, but have not managed to come up with anything as yet.
When asked why Kason had not been found somewhere to go to school, Adam Johnston, director for Children’s Services at Worcestershire County Council, said: “We understand how important it is for children, young people and families to have the education and support that they need.
“While it would not be appropriate for us to discuss personal details, we can provide reassurance that we are continuing to work closely with the family to put in place the most appropriate support.”
Social services have suggested full-time residential care is now the only option, however, Terri, who has worked in the care sector herself, is not keen.
“We are very happy to look after him ourselves. Just give us the resources to do so, and you’ll never hear from us again.”
