Approve funding for Nadia's educational and social placement at Foxes Academy

I'm writing on behalf of a dear friend and colleague who is currently experiencing injustice from Stoke Council in relation to her daughter's special educational needs. Stoke Local Authority are currently denying Nadia the funding that she needs to go to a college where she can gain recognised qualifications that will allow her to gain a job in the hospitality industry and to gain the skills she needs to live as independently as possible. Nadia should have the same rights as any young person in achieving her goals of becoming independent and working and contributing to society in a meaningful way. Too many people with special educational needs are being turned down the opportunity by their local authorities to gain the educational and social environment they so need to enable them to reach their potential in life.

Nadia, Celeste's 20 year old daughter has Downs Syndrome and significant developmental delay. Despite her special needs, Nadia is a strong-minded, confident and perceptive young woman. Nadia is very able to express her wishes and needs but I think because she has a stammer the council think she is incapable of having any ideas about her future. She has strong views on her plans for her future and wants to be as independent as she can and contribute to society in a meaningful way. Celeste has always supported Nadia in her wishes and needs. She has had to fight for Nadia's rights, especially educational, all of Nadia's life. She is now having to take Nadia's case to appeal but this won't happen until November and Nadia needs to start college in September. Nadia is very distressed about not knowing what is going to happen to her future aims.

Celeste has jumped through all of the hoops that the council have asked of her and she is currently receiving no information back from them. Foxes Academy are offering Open Days to their new recruits so that they can look around the facilities and the accommodation but Nadia can not go as she is not guaranteed a place. This is having a major impact on her mental health.

Celeste is not the only parent struggling with the lack of information, and sometimes tactics, that the local authority offer. Most parents end up giving up at the last hurdle as they are too emotionally and financially exhausted to deal with the obstacles that the LA put in place.

Please can we put pressure on Stoke Council to allow Nadia to go to Foxes. It will not only be an investment in Nadia's future contribution to society but may also end up being a cheaper alternative than other measures that will need to be put in place to allow Nadia some independence.