Parents of special needs children are increasingly vulnerable to allegations of fabricated or induced illness (FII).
That’s the view of Evelyn Ashford, who runs advisory group Educational Equality.
Evelyn Ashford, who runs Educational Equality: she says families of special needs children are increasingly targeted for allegations of fabricated or induced illness (FII)
Ashford fears that councils are using the diagnosis to rein in parents who fight them for extra help for their special needs children.
She said: “It absolutely is on the increase.”
Fabricated or induced illness ‘incredibly rare’
Ashford said FII “may well” exist, but she believes it is “incredibly rare”. And she insists she has “never seen it”.
The NHS website says FII symptoms range from extreme neglect to causing illness.
A study published in 2000 estimated there were 89 cases for every 100,000 people over two years. However, the NHS suggests it’s likely this “underestimates” the extent.
Margaret Gardener, director of the False Allegations Support Organisation (FASO), also believes claims of FII have risen.
‘Suddenly they are in the system’
Gardener said: “If parents push for it (extra resources) then suddenly they are in the system.”
And Facebook support group Fiightback maintains allegations of FII against parents are on the increase from councils.
The group has said pressure on councils since the introduction of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) is one of the main factors driving the allegations.
Masterclasses on FII for council and health staff
Child psychiatrist Dr Danya Glaser has been running masterclasses on FII for council and health staff.
Fiightback said the masterclasses highlight a range of conditions as a sign that parents are fabricating problems. Such conditions include autism, gastrointestinal problems, allergies and joint disorder Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
But Glaser insisted councils “do not resort to allegations against parents in order to save costs”.
The Local Government Association has said EHCPs were “significantly underfunded” by the UK government.
The Department for Education has defended the government. It maintains that it gave councils £223m extra to introduce EHCPs.
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Published: 29 May 2018
