A FAMILY is furious that their disabled daughter is unable to go to school although the new term started three weeks ago.

Lauren James, 11, from Willow Drive, Underwood, who has a rare condition called central core muscle disease, which means she needs constant care at school, was due to start at Caldicot Comprehensive.

Caldicot School wrote to the family to confirm Lauren's place, a risk assessment was carried out in July, and the family say they were not told of any problems - they even went out and bought her uniform.

But days before Lauren was due to start, her family was told that vital adaptations - disabled access, ramps and lifts - had not been made at Caldicot in time.

Although Lauren can walk for short periods she is unsteady, prone to falls, cannot climb stairs and sometimes needs a wheelchair.

After the setback, Monmouthshire council offered Lauren a place at another suitably adapted school, but funding has to be released by Newport council, the local authority where Lauren lives.

Now, she is still at home as talks continue between the two councils about where she should be educated.

Lauren's mother Tina Macleur said: "We'd already bought the uniform (for Caldicot), the school had arranged for all Lauren's classes to be on the ground floor and she was really excited.

"I am worried about her falling behind. She already missed a lot of last year for two operations on her legs."

Lauren said: "I just want to go to school. I get really bored sitting at home all day watching TV."

Caldicot Comprehensive says it is happy to take her once adaptations have been carried out.

Headteacher Susan Gwyer-Roberts added: "The school is aware of the issue but is powerless to act at present as this is a matter for Monmouthshire LEA."

A spokesman for Monmouthshire county council confirmed there is a Monmouthshire school place for Lauren and funding is being discussed with Newport city council.

But Newport council cannot give the go-ahead for Lauren to start at the school or even have home teaching until after a special education panel review.

A Newport city council spokesman said: "The local education authority has a duty to consider a request from a parent for a change of school. "The LEA's special educational needs panel meets weekly and can consider a maximum quota of cases. Therefore cases are scheduled for consideration at the earliest available panel and within statutory timescales.

"The panel has to ensure that the choice of placement parents are requesting is compatible to meet the child's needs and that the decision is an effective and efficient use of council resources.

"The LEA is not able to comment on specific details on individual cases".