The family of an autistic eight-year-old boy say he suffered lasting anxiety after being “held down” by five school staff members.
The incident occurred on October 11 last year, when the young boy suffered what his nan described as “meltdown” related to his autism.
Staff at St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary School, in Kirkby, called his grandad to come and get him as they could not get him to calm down.
READ MORE: Stranger steps in with 'amazing' gift to help homeless nurse
But when he arrived he was reportedly shown to a room where he saw the boy being restrained.
He told the ECHO: “I went to the reception and they told me to go to a room, and I saw five teachers holding him down on a bed.
“There was one at the top, two in the middle and two at his legs. He was screaming and trying to get up, but they were pushing him back down.
“They let go of him and I held him down by myself, he calmed down then; they had been making it worse.
“He suffers with autism but at that stage he didn’t hit other kids or staff. The teacher were holding him down so tight he couldn’t move.”
The boy’s family have since removed the boy from St Joseph and say he has shown signs of severe anxiety since it happened.
However a spokesman for the school called the family’s allegations “unfounded” and said an investigation had been carried out.
His nan, unhappy with the school’s response, told the ECHO: “It was completely unnecessary.
“It didn’t need to happen. The kids are suppose to feel safe and looked after.”
A spokesman for the school said: “St Joseph the Worker is a happy and inclusive school and we have an extensive support network in place for all pupils, particularly those requiring additional support.
“We work hard to promote positive relationships with children and families and any complaint received is taken extremely seriously and thoroughly investigated in line with the Archdiocese complaint policy and school safeguarding procedures.
“In line with procedures the matter has been investigated and is now concluded with the allegation unfounded.”
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
