A Devon mum is fighting for her daughter’s education after the seven-year-old has been unable to attend school for six months.

Magri-Jade Jackson said her daughter, Phoenix, has “significant special needs” due to her autism and has seen placements at two mainstream schools end.

Ms Jackson took the step of moving from North to South Devon to be closer to a specialist school, but has so far been unable to secure a place for Phoenix.

She said having her daughter out of school had also affected her ability to work.

“I’m having to go to the food bank and talk to Citizens Advice for extra help with money,” she said.

“My work is online, but with Phoenix here, I have to entertain and take care of her, which is hitting the bank balance as she isn’t getting school meals.

“It’s been tough, and it’s getting tougher.”

Phoenix has an education, health and care plan (EHCP), meaning authorities have accepted that she requires additional support to access education.

She has also been assessed as needing 2:1 staffing, with Ms Jackson saying her communication difficulties, sensory needs and dysregulation mean she cannot access the mainstream placement being proposed.

Devon County Council appears to have offered Phoenix a place at Harbertonford Primary School, but Ms Jackson says there is already evidence that a mainstream setting cannot meet her needs.

She said the council had told her Phoenix needed to enrol at a mainstream school before being considered for specialist provision.

“I’ve been told [by the council] that there isn’t enough evidence, but the school she was going to be put in – a mainstream setting – refused her as they couldn’t meet her needs,” she said.

“But now, the council is pushing for her to go there, claiming they can’t provide specialist provision unless I enrol her in a mainstream school.”

Ms Jackson said she had been given assurances that enrolling Phoenix in a mainstream setting could allow moves to be made towards a more appropriate placement, but she remains concerned.

“I feel like we’re having to go through it all again, as they want to observe her in a mainstream school to collect more evidence, but there is already enough,” she said.

She has complained to Devon County Council and raised the issue with her local MP, Caroline Voaden.

Ms Jackson claims Harbertonford Primary School had also deemed itself unable to meet Phoenix’s needs. Phoenix has nevertheless been enrolled at the school and is being marked as absent “due to illness”.

“I am deeply concerned that this has turned Phoenix’s situation into an attendance issue, when the real issue is that she cannot access the placement and does not have suitable education,” she said.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “We recognise that some families experience challenges and frustration when trying to get the support and education their child needs.

“We have received a formal complaint and will respond directly to the family. As this relates to an individual child, we are unable to comment publicly on the specific circumstances.

“Devon County Council is committed to ensuring that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities receive the support and education they need.

“We continue to work with schools, settings and partners to increase inclusion, strengthen specialist support and improve access to education across Devon.”