A MUM wants to warn other about the difficulty of finding children with additional needs an appropriate school place after her two-year battle.

Sarah Kay Narciso's son Ethan, now five, was born at just 26 weeks gestation and needed multiple procedures and treatments when he was a tot.

Now little Ethan lives with hydrocephalus - a build-up of fluid on the brain, has to wearing hearing aids and special glasses and suffers from developmental delay.

Since he was two, medical professionals have said Ethan would need extra help at school and in November 2015 a meeting was set up to try and get the family a plan of action and ensure he was given an appropriate education, health and care plan.

The family decided Market Fields in Elmstead Market which helps youngsters with moderate learning difficulties would be most appropriate.

But after months of delays, the plan was never completed by Essex County Council.

Ethan was offered a place at St Theresa's Catholic School, where his brother attends, but the school told the family they would not be able to deliver the kind of in-depth support required so he has had to carry on attending nursery for an extra year.

The family are still waiting on a definitive decision on where Ethan will go to school in September, but have been told it will not be Market Fields and Lexden Springs would be more suitable.

Mrs Narciso, of Kemar Way, Colchester, said: "They have mentioned the availability of places but this has been going on since 2015.

"Ever since then I have said to them if there is anything I can do to make it happen then I will.

"I constantly call and chase things up but nobody gets back to me.

"Initially I was told the ball was rolling only to find out five months later it as not.

"We want him to be in school in September."

Mrs Narciso, 32, said she firmly believe Market Fields would be the best place for Ethan to thrive.

She said:"When we went and looked at the school they have got so many things which would help him along.

"There is a sensory room and nurses on site and because of his hydrocephalus and it would give me peace of mind to know there is not just a first aider there but a nurse.

"You can see the students are being pushed to their ability and the problems which they have do not stop them.

"Ethan grows by watching people and if he sees other people pushing themselves and wanting to do more, then he will do so as well."

Essex County Council's education boss Ray Gooding (Con) said: "We work closely with parents to ensure children are placed in schools which can meet their special educational needs.

“As a council, we understand the importance of children being taught in the right learning environment and believe the school that has been identified is suitable.

“We will continue to work with the family.”