A RAMSBOTTOM mother is considering taking legal action after waiting since the summer to have her son's special educational needs assessed.

Three-year-old Adam Palubiak suffers from Dubowitz Syndrome, a rare syndrome which means his development is delayed by a year. He has problems in speaking and co-ordination.

Adam was referred to a panel made up of education specialists in July of this year to be assessed.

A decision on his assessment was deferred and the youngster was referred to Portage, which is a service for pre-school children who have special needs.

Bury Council has blamed the delay in processing special needs educational assessments on staff shortages and the number of requests for assessment.

In August and October, Adam was again discussed by the panel. Since then his mother, Mrs Fiona Palubiak, of Vale Coppice, has been waiting for the results of his assessment.

She says the wait is putting her under increasing stress and claims she cannot plan for Adam's future because of the lengthy delay.

Mrs Palubiak said: "I want to enrol Adam into school next September knowing that his needs will be catered for.

"But I cannot do this until I know the results of the assessment in writing. Depending on the decision then I have the choice to appeal against it or accept it. But I need to know where Adam stands.

"He has education problems and needs help, but we have had no letter from the education department about Adam's assessment."

Mrs Palubiak said that if Adam's assessment was not processed soon she would be taking legal advice. She has already contacted Bury North MP Mr David Chaytor about the delay.

So far Bury Council is only achieving 20 per cent of the national target of issuing of a proposed statement or notice in lieu within 18 weeks from the the start of an assessment.

Mrs Trish Dawson of personal and community services said: "I have spoken to Mrs Palubiak on a number of occasions about Adam and she is being kept informed of any progress."

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