• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About DNS
  • Subscribe to DNS
  • Advertise with DNS
  • Support DNS
  • Contact DNS

Disability News Service

the country's only news agency specialising in disability issues

  • Home
  • Independent Living
    • Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Housing
    • Transport
  • Activism & Campaigning
  • Benefits & Poverty
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
You are here: Home / News Archive / Campaigners’ shock over metal ‘cage’ for pupil with autism

Campaigners’ shock over metal ‘cage’ for pupil with autism

By guest on 26th November 2010 Category: News Archive

Listen

A Scottish local authority that built a metal “cage” for a teenager with autism to use during break times has been heavily criticised by a disabled people’s organisation.

Western Isles council blamed the decision to build the pen – made of metal fencing, with a wooden door and bolt – on a “breakdown in communication” with a contractor working at the Nicolson Institute, a mainstream school in Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis.

The parents of the 19-year-old had raised £500 towards funding a new outdoor area for their son, and reportedly expected a safe space with wooden decking and leisure equipment.

The council said it had dismantled the pen, which was never used by the teenager, and was now discussing with his parents how to replace it.

But Bill Scott, acting manager of Inclusion Scotland – a national consortium of disabled people’s organisations and disabled people – said: “I just thought it was appalling. I really couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“It was obviously very, very distressing to the parents of the child and also anybody who is working towards the inclusion of disabled children in mainstream education.

“I just do not see how anybody could mistake what was being put up for what would be suitable for a child to play in.”

A Western Isles spokesman said the council had apologised to the pupil’s family “for any distress which has been caused by the problems which have arisen from [the] proposed outdoor recreational area at the Nicolson Institute”.

He said a breakdown in communication between an education and children’s services officer and “those undertaking the construction work” led to “the latter not being aware of the purpose of the area and by whom it was going to be used”.

The council spokesman said the cage was “deemed completely inappropriate” after it was finished and was “dismantled” before being used.

He added: “The education and children’s services department will be in touch with [the] parents regarding a new and appropriate outdoor recreational area for this pupil.”

3 November 2010

Share this post:

Share on X (Twitter)Share on FacebookShare on WhatsAppShare on RedditShare on LinkedIn
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Related

‘Muddled’ blue badge reforms ‘are to blame for renewal delays’
6th February 2015
UN debate will be reminder of true inclusive education
6th February 2015
IDS breaks pledge on PIP waiting-times, as tens of thousands still queue for months
30th January 2015

Primary Sidebar

On the left of the image are multiple heads of different colours - white, aqua, red, light brown, and dark green - all grouped together, then the words ‘Campaign for Disability Justice. Sign up to support. #OpportunitySecurityRespect’
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Access

Latest Stories

‘Disastrous’ cuts bill that leaves legacy of distrust and distress ‘must be dropped’

Four disabled Labour MPs stand up to government over cuts to disability benefits

Silence from MP sister of Rachel Reeves over suicide linked to PIP flaws, just as government was seeking cuts

Disabled people receiving care were ‘ignored by design’ during the pandemic, Covid inquiry hears

Disabled activists warn Labour MPs who vote for cuts: ‘The gloves will be off’

GB News says it has nothing to apologise for, after guest suggests starving disabled benefit claimants

SEND inspections find services in just one in four areas usually lead to ‘positive’ outcomes for disabled children

Disabled MP who quit government over benefit cuts tells DNS: ‘The consequences will be devastating’

Disabled peers plan to ‘amend, amend, amend, amend, amend’ after assisted dying bill reaches Lords

Minister finally admits that working-age benefits spending is stable, despite months of ‘spiralling’ claims

Advice and Information

Readspeaker
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Footer

The International Standard Serial Number for Disability News Service is: ISSN 2398-8924

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site map
  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 Disability News Service

Site development by A Bright Clear Web