THE MOTHER of a disabled boy who went missing from a Darlington school is refusing to send him back in a stand-off with education chiefs.

Beaumont Hill Academy pupil Dylan Stokes, who has Down’s Syndrome, dodged his bus home and went missing for around two hours on Tuesday (June 29).

While the school insist it reacted appropriately and implemented a thorough review following the incident, his mother says she no longer trusts staff to keep her son safe.

Kelly Ucarcan says teachers should have ensured 12-year-old Dylan boarded his bus home and should have shown extra vigilance knowing he was at risk of absconding.

Now keeping Dylan at home until the situation is resolved, Ms Ucarcan also accused school staff of waiting too long to alert police to his disappearance.

She said: “I want a formal investigation and I’m waiting for that until I feel safe sending him back.

“I need to know how this happened and why they didn’t watch him safely onto the bus – it might have only happened once but once is too many times.

“They’re saying he’s capable of getting on the bus and the responsibility is his, but he’s at that school for a reason - they know he’s capable of wandering off.”

She added: “If I’d lost him, I’d be in trouble with social services so why is it different for the school?”

Ms Ucarcan said the school were aware that Dylan did not like taking the bus and said she had been pleading with the council to arrange another form of transport.

A spokesman from the Education Village – which incorporates specialist needs facility Beaumont Hill Academy – said: “Students’ welfare and wellbeing are paramount and we have daily routines and robust systems for ensuring their safety at all times.

“Where possible, each student’s routine is arranged to encourage independent learning, which is essential to their development.

“This incident has highlighted a particular issue and, as a result, we have reviewed thoroughly the circumstances and put measures in place to prevent any recurrence.”

A spokeswoman from Darlington Borough Council added: “We provide transport that is suitable and takes into account the needs of the child.

“We have taken into account Dylan’s special educational needs and consider the transport arrangements are suitable.”