A non-verbal, autistic youngster has been turned away from more than 14 special schools across Kent due to lack of space.

Temi Elefin, 10, moved to Sittingbourne from Hackney last summer with his family who have been doing everything they can to enrol him at a school that can cater to his needs.

Mum Feyisayo Ayodele said: “He was so excited to move but this joy was short-lived when he was confined to his home for many months because nowhere would take him.

“My heart sinks every morning when he tries to go with his little brother to his school. I painstakingly try to explain to him that he will find his own one soon but I cannot shake the hurt I feel seeing him so sad.”

The family moved to Blenheim Road to be closer to the mum’s sister who helps support them and as it was only 0.5 miles away from special education school, Meadowfield School.

Feyisayo said she had researched schools before moving and contacted more than 14 across the county but was turned down from all of them due to capacity issues.

Kent County Council (KCC) has also sent several consultations on Temi’s behalf but these too have been unsuccessful.

“I am at my wits end,” added Feyisayo. “I do not know what to do. I am not even talking about this school year, I am trying to get him a space for September 2023.

“He is used to getting up and going to school but now he has been stuck in this house since the summer. This boy needs to go out, he wants to go to school.

“The experience has taken its toll on Temi and the family. We often have to take time off work to stay at home to care for him.

“For me, I do not have my own life. I cannot go anywhere or do anything as I need to be with him in the day. I need to go back to the office and I am worried I might lose my job if I cannot.

“I do not sleep sometimes. I am getting anxiety because of this. I do not want to continue to struggle by myself anymore.”

KCC is funding a private tutor for Temi 12 hours a week while Feyisayo pays around £300 a week for the private tutor to work extra hours and for a speech and language therapist.

The 40-year-old added: “The question is what will it take to see and help children who need the most support? No one should be left behind, every child matters.”

“My heart sinks every morning when he tries to go with his little brother to his school…”

A spokesman for KCC said: “We understand that it is frustrating for parents to move to Kent at a time when many school places have already been filled, and find that the schools closest to their home are already full.

“Where a pupil is in receipt of an Education Health and Care Plan KCC must also ensure that schools can provide appropriate support for each child’s need.

“KCC officers have approached a number of schools in an effort to find a school place for Temi, but unfortunately it has not yet been possible to finalise an offer. The team have kept in regular communication with Mrs Ayodele and are currently waiting on responses from consultations with two further schools.

“In the meantime, Temi has been provided with a tutor to ensure he can continue to receive access to education while these activities are completed.

“Despite huge financial pressures on the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) budget, KCC is already planning for two new special schools to be built in Whitstable and Swanley. These are a result of the Safety Valve Agreement negotiated with the Department for Education (DfE).

“In addition, a ground-breaking event has been held on the site of a new special school to be built at Halfway, Sheppey, which is intended to accept pupils from September 2024. This school, which was secured in the last DfE special school/ alternative provision wave process, will be fully funded by the DfE.

“KCC is also working to increase capacity in mainstream schools to support children and young people with SEND, thus reducing dependence on special school provision.”

The authority recently had to be bailed out on its special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) budget by the government and told it must bring its budgets into line quickly, ordering a major shake-up of where children with SEND are taught.

It will mean it will be far harder for parents to secure a special school place and that many more children with a number of conditions will, instead, be put into mainstream schools.