A disabled single father caring for his autistic son is pleading for home safety adaptations - even though he does not know how long they will stay in the house.

Michael (not his real name) was told by Camden Council in March he could have an adaptive shower for his son in his West Hampstead home - then that he might have to wait up to a year.

The adaptation would mean the seven-year-old, who is severely autistic, non-verbal and has limited safety awareness, will have a shower with a seat and grab rails.

The disabled dad, who lives in West Hampstead, has been battling the council for safety adaptations for three years after his son put his head through the kitchen window while his back was turned.

Michael believes the work is not being done because the council is looking to move them to a more appropriate property - but argues that with no new home identified they could end up suffering indefinitely.

Michael said: "He needs it right away. His mum's just got hers, she got it in her house within a month."

To add to his uncertainty, the anxious father received an email from his housing officer last month - seen by this paper - saying that his application had been "paused".

Michael previously told the Ham&High that he had been offered two properties by the council. One he turned down because he said the estate in Kilburn was "crack city".

The other property was in NW5, a postcode he expressly asked not to place his family in following a highly dysfunctional childhood.

He added: "They sent me an email saying the match meetings where they are supposed to offer direct offers, they're pausing it while they get legal advice. I've not been offered anything since last year.

"They don't want to do any work in this house in case I get an offer but the thing is, I'm still here. It's horrible isn't it?"

A Camden Council spokesperson said: "We are here to help this family and are continuing to make offers of alternative housing that are suitable for their needs.

"We hope they will be able to move as soon as a suitable property becomes available, but note that these types of properties can be extremely limited in supply.

"We are also carrying out repairs and adaptations to their current housing to make sure it is suited to the family’s needs.”