Hackney Council Proposes Bus Test for Autistic Boy to Prove Meltdown Risk
Hackney Council has suggested taking an autistic child on a bus ride to prove his family's claim that travelling by public transport would trigger a distressing meltdown. This controversial proposal comes as the family faces eviction for subletting a council flat, with the council seeking to rehouse them in temporary accommodation in Newham.
Family Faces Eviction Over Tenancy Issues
Charity Oppong and her children are facing eviction after it was discovered they had been subletting a council flat from a named tenant for several years. Ms Oppong moved into the property nearly two decades ago with a family member who later moved out. While she continued to pay rent, she did not request the tenancy be transferred to her name.
After learning of this situation in 2021, the local authority moved to oust the family on grounds of tenancy fraud. Last year, a court granted an eviction warrant. The council acknowledges the family's "distressing" situation, particularly in light of the special needs of Charity's seven-year-old son, Kayden, who has severe autism.
Medical Evidence Deemed Insufficient
Despite letters from Kayden's head teacher that include details from medical professionals, plus his autism diagnosis and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), Hackney Council says this evidence is not enough. Documents reveal the council recently told the family it would not accept these letters alone and would seek to put their claims to the test before changing its rehousing offer.
The family's personal housing plan states that the council wants "direct observational evidence" that Kayden is "unable to travel by bus, taxi or car." To achieve this, it proposes that its own medical assessor travels with the boy to observe how he copes.
Family and Activists Voice Outrage
Kayden's sister Nana told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that Kayden experiences meltdowns on public transport and other vehicles due to sensory overload and high anxiety. "Who's going to be there to contain his meltdown?" she asked. "I thought this was about safeguarding and protecting children."
Blogger Kate Belgrave, who reports on public sector cuts, called the council's proposal "bizarre," questioning whether it constitutes actual abuse. "In other words, the council wants to put the boy in an environment that he can't cope with to record him not coping with it," she said.
Research Supports Family's Concerns
A 2024 survey by the National Autistic Society found that 62% of autistic respondents experienced more meltdowns or sensory overload while travelling than in settled settings. The research identified buses, trains, and taxis as particularly difficult for people with autism.
Additionally, a report by King's College London published earlier this year warned that neurodivergent children in temporary accommodation face "torture-like" conditions, highlighting the potential harm of unsuitable housing arrangements.
Legal Proceedings and Council Response
The household has been supported by activists who have physically blocked bailiffs from entering the property. Last week, a court granted a lawyer's request to stay the eviction for eight weeks pending both a judicial review and an ongoing safeguarding assessment from social services.
A Hackney Council spokesperson stated: "While we have a responsibility to take action in cases of illegal subletting, we understand how distressing this situation is for the family. We have a legal duty to ensure that any home offered to a homeless family is suitable for their specific needs."
The council added that if the family feels the temporary home offer doesn't meet their needs, they have a statutory right to request a review. The council did not respond to questions about what kind of medical professional would travel with Kayden or why it needs to prove his difficulties when he already has an EHCP and autism diagnosis.
This case follows previous reports that Hackney Council explicitly told NHS staff not to write letters of support for special needs children whose families feared their lives were at risk due to unsuitable housing.
