One of the reasons I can understand young boys who have complex needs is down to my experience as a mum. My son was historically labelled as a ‘naughty boy.’ Some of the things he did were due to SEN. Some to emotional difficulties. Some he was wilful. He was never a bad boy.

Part of his issue was he felt so historical let down by the education system he simply stopped caring. He was offered a place in a a wonderful SEN school. Went for visits. Was given uniform. Then told it was a clerical error and was only a ‘suggestion.’

His dad died and we got a star chart to show the constellation his dad was in the stars. He took it into school to be told there was no time for show and tell. A child told him to got pray to his dead dad when he got upset. He punched them and was excluded.

He should have had a consequence but the child who provoked also should have had similar. It led to a massive divide for him. He became labelled as ‘troubled’ and he lived up to that as made him feel better as his emotional issues were never addressed as CAHMS were rubbish.

A teacher at a pry told him to leave the room. My son at this point was disillusioned and probably being rude. But he left and walked 3 miles home on the rain. No one told me he was no longer in school.

He’s now nearly 18. Is a gorgeous boy. A few on twitter have met him. He’s uber bright & eloquent. He still had issues with timings & attendance. But he is a wonderful boy. I wonder what happens to boys like mine who don’t have a mother of dragons who’ll always be there.