“I have experienced repeated incidents involving Rowan attempting to climb over the balcony, and the communal staircase” - Samantha Banning

A Northamptonshire mum says she has been ‘battling for months’ to secure appropriate housing for her son.

Four-year-old Rowan Banning has significant additional needs which result in him being impulsive and struggling with danger awareness.

His mum Samantha says the family’s two-bed flat on Wren Way in Daventry is not suitable, as Rowan is often at-risk, particularly in communal stairways and around the flat’s balcony.

placeholder image — Flats on Wren Way | Submitted

She said: “I have experienced repeated incidents involving Rowan attempting to climb over the balcony, and the communal staircase.

“It’s the communal area which has been most problematic as my son has high sensory-seeking behaviours and will attempt to climb over the top of the staircase railings.

“He has significant additional needs and is awaiting formal neurodevelopmental assessment. His difficulties with danger awareness, impulsivity and severe dysregulation create considerable safety risks in our current accommodation.

“I’ve not been able to have my windows or doors open since June as he will attempt to climb out of windows to escape.”

Rowan tries to escape over the balcony if the doors are open | Submitted

Samantha says West Northamptonshire Council told the family they needed an occupational therapy assessment to establish Rowan’s needs.

But she feels ‘passed between departments’ as to where to get the assessment done.

Samantha said: “Every route I have been directed towards to obtain this assessment has resulted in a rejected referral, with services explaining housing needs assessments are not within their remit.

“I am now being left in a position where the council says it needs an assessment, but I cannot establish who is actually able to provide one.

Mum Samantha also says the communal stairways are a risk | Submitted

“Despite repeatedly engaging with services and following every suggested referral route, I feel I am being passed between departments without anyone taking responsibility for finding a solution.

“I believe this raises wider questions about how families with children who have additional needs are expected to navigate housing systems, particularly when the assessments required by councils are seemingly inaccessible.”

Samantha says she has now escalated her concerns to WNC senior management and the mayor.

The authority says it is unable to comment on individual cases but the housing team is working to help find a suitable solution.