Children with severe learning difficulties in Bath and North East Somerset face the possibility of entering the care system following the anticipated closure of Fosse Way House, a “life changing” residential facility, at the end of the school year.
For over 20 years, Fosse Way House has provided essential residential support to students from Fosse Way School in Westfield who have autism. This facility allows these young people to develop critical social skills and independence beyond school hours. Funding for places had been secured through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) via Bath and North East Somerset Council.
However, the council has recently ceased funding these places, prompting the Partnership Trust, which operates Fosse Way House, to consider closure. Despite new EHCP assessments suggesting children’s needs can be met within standard school hours, the Trust maintains that the children’s complex needs remain unchanged. The loss of this specialist support risks severe consequences, including potential family breakdown and increased likelihood of children entering care.
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Jason Towells, Residential Education Manager at Fosse Way, addressed the Bath and North East Somerset Council on May 22. He highlighted that Fosse Way House has been rated “outstanding” by Ofsted for three consecutive years and described the facility as “life changing.” Towells urged that such a valued provision deserves celebration and serious reconsideration regarding funding withdrawal. He warned the removal of support could result in detrimental long-term effects for these vulnerable children.
Currently, seven children benefit from the residential service. Without it, Towells cautioned some might refuse to attend school, while others might be forced into local authority care.
Councillor Shaun Hughes (Midsomer Norton North, Independent) echoed these concerns, emphasizing that Fosse Way House offers a unique and vital service for children with severe learning difficulties, particularly those with high-level autism. He stressed the facility enables children to develop independence skills in a supportive environment, helping maintain family unity during weekends and holidays.
Hughes warned that losing the facility would have severe consequences. “Families could face breakdown and children may end up in care—a traumatic outcome that is also far more costly to the public purse,” he said, noting that care placements for children with severe autism incur significantly higher expenses than the cost of maintaining Fosse Way House.
He appealed urgently, noting only weeks remain before the anticipated closure once the current EHCP-funded provision concludes.
Conversely, council leader Kevin Guy (Bathavon South, Liberal Democrat) defended the decision, stating it was made by council education experts, not based on budget constraints. He clarified, “No finance has been withdrawn for these kids,” emphasizing that changes were educational rather than financial.
Responding, Hughes disputed the claim that no children require the level of care Fosse Way House offers. He highlighted a lack of formal challenges to the EHCP decisions, suggesting that parents of severely challenged children often lack the resources, energy, or expertise to pursue legal action against the council. He critiqued this expectation as unrealistic and unfair, questioning the council’s consideration of families’ circumstances.
Towells noted that the Partnership Trust submitted evidence to the council in January supporting the need for residential care for six children. This evidence was compiled by those involved in their daily care and support at home and school.
At a scrutiny panel earlier in May, Councillor Lesley Mansell (Radstock, Labour) expressed concerns the council was approaching the situation akin to past cases like Newton House, where decisions appeared pre-determined before facts were presented. She further accused the council of “institutional discrimination.”
With only weeks until the school year ends, the future of Fosse Way House remains uncertain, and vulnerable children face profound challenges ahead.