Young boy unable to attend school since February 2022 due to dispute between mother and staff

A young Hamlyn Heights boy has not been able to attend school for more than a year due to a dispute between his mother and management staff.

Simone Leembruggen with her son Raffael, 8. Picture: Ginger + Mint

A Hamlyn Heights boy hasn’t attended his specialist school for more than a year amid a dispute between his mother and management staff.

Raffael Leembruggen Bruna has been enrolled at Hamlyn Views School since prep.

A copy of the eight-year-old boy’s NDIS plan, seen by the Geelong Advertiser, states he can attend the Hamlyn Heights school two days per week and receives one-on-one personal support from a carer when he is in the classroom, which is funded by the NDIS.

But his mother Simone Leembruggen said her son, who should be in grade three, has not attended school since February 2022 due to a dispute with management staff over his care in the classroom and emergency medical plans.

A Department of Education spokesman would not comment individual cases but said “the school makes every effort to ensure every student can attend school safely”.

According to the school’s website, it “provides specialist education for children and young people with a moderate to profound intellectual disability”.

But Ms Leembruggen said the policy on its website “isn’t what actually happens”.

Raffael was born with CDKL5 deficiency disorder, also known as CDD, which is a rare neurodevelopmental condition.

Symptoms include seizures, limited mobility and low muscle tone.

Ms Leembruggen said she had been advised the school had a “strict” policy that did not allow her son’s support staff to administer his medication.

Instead, school staff would give Raffael his medication.

But Ms Leembruggen claimed they were “inexperienced” and was not satisfied with this arrangement.

“They are saying that our carers are not allowed to give him his usual medications while he is at school but in their documents, they let students give themselves medication if their specialist and parents agree,” she said.

“They make allowances for that but they won’t make allowances for someone who is qualified to give him his usual medication.”

Ms Leembruggen claimed the school’s staff had completed two “inadequate” training sessions using care plans that were “out of date” and did not meet Raffael’s individual needs.

“Only a few topics were covered … they obviously decided that was sufficient (because) the rest of Raffael’s daily support needs were left out,” she said.

Ms Leembruggen alleges the school “overrides” Raffael’s midazolam plan, a medication used as emergency treatment for seizures.

“If he needs a second dosage, (the school) won’t give it to him, they will wait for an ambulance,” Ms Leembruggen said.

“The reason he would need a second dosage is if he isn’t breathing and you can’t wait when that happens.”

Simone Leembruggen with her son Raffael. Picture: Alison Wynd

Ms Leembruggen claimed that by not allowing her son’s support staff to administer his medication the school was excluding her son.

“They are a disability school (but) they are not accommodating of his disability,” she said.

Ms Leembruggen said she requested home learning options for Raffael, but claimed the classes were often cancelled and were not appropriate.

She said she appreciated the need for teachers to have some medical experience, but said they should focus on providing an education to her son.

“What kid at school has the teacher giving them medication and changing their nappy at age eight?” Ms Leembruggen said.

“Can he have some dignity?”

Ms Leembruggen said her child had been unable to attend school because she would not agree with the school’s terms.

She has written a formal complaint to Hamlyn Views School and is considering legal action.

“My son is a person, he is a young boy who wants connection,” Ms Leembruggen said.

“He has no social exposure, he loves being around other kids.

“It’s just sad … he has to lie in bed most of the day.”

The school did not directly respond to questions from the Addy.

A Department of Education spokesman said: “Hamlyn Views School provides all students with appropriate care and support and implements adjustments to accommodate students’ needs in consultation with parents and carers.”

Originally published as Young boy unable to attend school since February 2022 due to dispute between mother and staff