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Autistic teenager, 18, given wire 'cage' by council to play in
Last updated at 11:16 AM on 2nd November 2010
A teenager with severe autism was given a 'cage' resembling a dog run to play in. The 18-year-old boy's parents said they had been promised a specialised play area by the council - but were horrified when they saw the wire pen instead.
The Western Isles Council supplied a 'cage' resembling a dog run for the severely autistic teenager to play in. The 18-year-old's parents had been promised a specialised play area and had raised £500 towards it
Western Isles Council has apologised and removed the cage
They had raised £500 towards the cost of the outdoor facility at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, which was supposed to keep their son safe as he cannot play with other children. But instead of the decking and play equipment they expected, there was a metal pen with a wooden door and bolt. Polley Tommey, the founder of the Autism Trust, said she was sickened when she saw the pictures of the structure.
'What kind of person builds a cage for another person to be in? she said. 'No child - with or without learning difficulties - should be caged.' The Western Isles Council has apologised to the family and said it had removed the 'entirely inappropriate' provision, which it blamed on a mix-up with suppliers.
