Petition To Bring Son Home

A petition calling for a severely autistic teenager to be brought back to Scotland for care has been signed by more than 10, 000 people.

Tianze Ni, who's 17 years old, is in hospital in Middlesbrough because there's nowhere in Scotland to care for him after his condition deteriorated.

Fife Council ruled earlier this year his care couldn't be provided in Scotland, despite his family requesting that they care for him at home.

His mum Nina, who travels south weekly to see him, says the issue isn't going to go away:

Dougie Dunlop, Head of Service at Fife Council, said: 

"We never share the detail of individual cases, but young people such as Tianze have particular care and medical needs which requires a very specialist service.

"Wherever possible, we will always try and arrange care for young people as close to the family home as we can. However, where there are very particular needs this can mean that it's not always possible.

"At times where there are complex issues, legal processes have to be followed before we can put any care arrangements into place.

"The most important thing in these circumstances is that any young person is cared for in the place best able to meet their needs. When a family has to travel a distance, we will always provide financial assistance to help them."