Autistic boy, 6, denied NHS support because he goes to private school

A six-year-old autistic boy has been refused NHS mental health services because he is enrolled at a private school.

His mother contacted Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust after growing worried that her son might be experiencing auditory hallucinations.

The trust sent a letter explaining: "As [her son] attends an independent primary school, our Mental Health Support Teams do not cover this school."

The mother, who chose not to be named, described the exclusion from NHS care as "unfair".

Alder Hey said service access depends on "clinical need" and noted that independent schools "typically arrange their own Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) support".

The boy had recently started hitting other children.

And, when asked why he behaved this way towards classmates, he replied: "Because my brain told me to do it."

His mother described him as exceptionally gifted at mathematics, with a mind that "never seems to switch off", causing difficulty sitting still and controlling his behaviour.

The child, who has special educational needs, also developed a severe phobia of bald men.

The fear became so intense that the family had to leave soft-play centres and crowded public spaces.

His mother grew concerned he might be suffering from intrusive thoughts or hearing voices.

The mother first sought private help from a child psychologist but felt it was wrong to pay £40 per session when other families received free support.

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She then approached NHS mental health services, detailing her son's symptoms, but Alder Hey declined to assist, pointing to his private school attendance.

The trust directed her to website resources, suggested using "social stories" to help him understand social situations, and recommended contacting a charity.

The file on her son was then closed.

She said: "I pay for my son's education privately while also paying my taxes, yet I was denied support on that basis alone.

"It feels unfair that access to help should be restricted because of the type of school a child attends."

Maria Eagle, the Liverpool Garston MP representing the family's constituency, said she was "very concerned" and promised to seek answers from the trust.

Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston said: "No child should be denied the help they need because of the school they attend or their family background. Yet clearly, vulnerable children are falling through the cracks."

Toni Bailey, chairman of the Send Foundation, said: "Healthcare is based on clinical need and place of residence and not on the type of school."

A spokesman for Alder Hey NHS Foundation Trust said: "Access to CAMHS services at Alder Hey is based on clinical need. All referrals are assessed by clinicians to ensure children and young people receive the most appropriate support, whether through Alder Hey specialist mental health services or other local providers.

"Children who require specialist CAMHS support and meet the relevant eligibility criteria will receive care based on their individual needs.

"Independent schools typically arrange their own Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) support, and they can access senior mental health leads training grants in the same way as local authority schools can."