Family's plea for support as autistic daughter placed 240 miles away due to shortage of residental care

Parents of children with special needs in the Highlands are having to travel vast distances to be with them because of a shortage of residential care.

Almost 30 families are enduring such journeys, according to a freedom of information request.

The council says it is working hard to increase capacity.

The shortage in Inverness means 13-year-old Sophie McNab, who has complex needs, is living 240 miles away in Annan. It is heartbreaking for her family.

Her father Iain said: “The association that Sophie has with other places is difficult. So, when we go down she doesn’t associate us with that environment.

“So, we’re having to have some chats with the excellent team down there about getting her back up to see us in a familiar family environment.”

Sophie's father Iain faces a ten-hour round trip to see his daughter — Sophie’s father Iain faces a ten-hour round trip to see his daughter STV News

The McNabs’ freedom of information request to Highland Council confirmed that Sophie is among 27 Highland youngsters who are far from home due to a lack of specialist accommodation. For them, it means a ten-hour round trip to visit Sophie.

The total cost of family care packages to the council last year was more than £7m.

Sophie was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. She is non verbal and her physical responses can lead to injuring herself.

The couple say full-time care was the only option due to a lack of before and after-school provision.

Their plea for help has reached Holyrood.

Highlands and Islands Liberal Democrat MSP Morven-May MacCallum asked First Minister John Swinney if he agreed that “children being separated from their families is unacceptable,” and “will his government bring them home?”

He said: “Siobhian Brown, the Minister for The Promise would be happy to engage further about the specific problem that is raised within the Highlands.

“And, of course, we’d be happy to discuss that with representatives of Highland Council.”

The council will not comment on individual cases but acknowledged the impact on families.

Iain said Sophie (right) struggles to associate her surroundings with her family STV News

Councillor David Fraser, who chairs Highland Council’s health, social care and wellbeing committee, said: “Sometimes we just don’t have the right facilities.

“But we’re investing £3.5m in order to try to overcome that and we’ll continue to work with children, with families and with professionals to bring people home.”

Mr McNab accepted that a speedy solution was highly unlikely but he has called for a five, ten, or 15-year plan to manage the situation.

The council is currently seeking more foster carers. It is also expanding the popular Orchard care facility in Inverness. The project may not be complete for another year.

Mr McNab said: “I think having a spotlight on this issue will put pressure on the authorities to get that done – and not just for our family, for all the families that are waiting for children to come back to the area.”