How do I fill his days if he doesn’t have college?

The college costs £1.5m annually to run, with £700,000 provided by the Scottish government and the rest coming from local authorities and care packages.

However, with pilot funding ending this summer, the college needs urgent financial support to stay open.

Brian Logan, chief executive of Capability Scotland, said there was enormous demand for what they offer, but that without fresh funding, the college would shut.

“It’s a significant step backwards for Scotland,” he said. “These young people deserve an education that meets their needs.”

Liz McConnachie, head of the college, said: “These young people have very complex conditions.

“Mainstream colleges just can’t provide the level of support required.”

If the college closes, most students would be left at home, isolated and without opportunities for social interaction.

The Scottish government said it had invested over £1m in the pilot and was commissioning an independent evaluation to guide future plans.

However, no timeline has been provided, leaving families like the Symes in limbo.