Bad behaviour in the classroom from youngsters of all ages is the subject of much heated public debate. But just how well do our education and welfare systems deal with these problems? Or are children falling through the safety net because there simply aren't the facilities to deal with individual cases.

To one Darwen mum it seems as if the odds are stacked against her. But as STEPHANIE JOHNSTON reports, it is not for the lack of trying, especially by her son's school. THE child on this photograph looks like any other. But five-year-old Gary is different. He suffers from a disorder which makes him prone to tantrums, sometimes becoming so angry he injures himself.

His behavioural problems are aggravated by a medical condition for which he adamantly refuses treatment.

He disrupts lessons at school and regular absences for hospital visits have caused him to fall behind in class.

But backed by Holy Trinity school's governors and teaching staff, mum Melanie Peters is trying to find a way of giving her son the education he so desperately needs.

From their home in Argyle Street, she said: "His behaviour is unpredictable. Sometimes he is attentive and well-behaved but at others he is virtually uncontrollable. This whole situation is getting both him and me down.

"It is heart-wrench-

ing to watch him while he is having one of his tantrums. He becomes so frustrated that he even resorts to biting himself."

She added: "I am a single mum and looking after Gary is exhausting. I had hoped that school would calm him down but what he should have is some sort of special needs education."

But the county council say that Gary does not qualify for that.

"I know that Gary's situation is not unique," she added. "Consultants at Queen's Park Hospital told me that there are other families going through the same thing. Our children's problems seem to be swept under the carpet."

Holy Trinity head-

teacher David Robinson has contacted the local special needs unit and the county's education department with the hope of getting some permanent help to support Gary's stay at the school.

He said: "We are willing to teach Gary but at the moment that is virtually impossible because of the care and attention he needs. As a short-term solution we have asked Melanie to sit in class with him while he attends on a part-time basis. "I will do anything in my power to help Melanie and Gary, but it is going to take a long time and I cannot guarantee it will be the best for him.

"The wheels have been set in motion and all the relevant associations and authorities know about Gary's problems. Let's hope that someone, somewhere can find a solution."

Melanie hopes that one day Gary will be able to receive the sort of treatment highlighted in a recent television programme.

Carlton's Network First series last week featured the work of the Marlborough Day Unit in Swindon, where problem children take part in an intensive course to teach them how to behave properly in the classroom and at home.

The unit admits groups of children under the age of seven for play and learning sessions with fully-trained staff.

Teaching follows positive encouragement and the refusal of teachers to react to temper tantrums.

"When I saw it I felt they were talking about Gary," said Melanie. "I think that kind of teaching is exactly what he needs."

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