Anger over school transport
Angry parents are to appeal against plans to withdraw free school transport for some pupils with special educational needs.
Transport bosses at Leicestershire County Council have written to 1,600 families across Leicestershire to tell them their children will no longer qualify for free school transport from September 2013.
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The move affects those living within a two-mile radius of their special educational needs (SEN) primary school, or a three-mile radius for secondary schools.
The council is only obliged to provide transport to youngsters who live further away, or for whom walking is not an option. The authority estimates the move could save £300,000 a year.
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Louise Blick said she was among those set to lose transport for her son, Jordan, 15. The teenager, who lives in South Wigston, attends Birkett House special school, in Wigston, and travels on a special school bus which picks him up outside his home every day.
He has severe autism and learning difficulties.
Louise said: "I don't drive, so I don't have that option and walking could take us a very long time because of his needs.
"He can't be rushed like other children and public transport would be a nightmare because he can't cope with large crowds.
"I can't sleep for worrying about this. The council is disadvantaging some of the most vulnerable children there are, so I hope they listen to me when I appeal."
Lisa Lord's nine-year-old twins, Joshua and Samuel, both attend Birkett House.
They live in South Wigston – 1.3 miles from the school.
Both boys have developmental problems.
Lisa said: "The boys need constant supervision because their mental age is that of a two or three-year-old.
"I can't drive them to school and walking isn't really an option as I have a 10-month-old baby, too."
Claire Food's 13-year-old daughter, Alicia, attends the same school. Alicia has Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and autism.
Claire said: "I don't drive and Alicia's dad leaves for work at 6.30am. Alicia's routine is very important. There's no way she could make the journey alone.
"I just feel very angry. Life's already a battle without this. I'll appeal as soon as I can."
Charlie Palmer, head of the council's specialist education services, said: "We have to make millions of pounds of savings and we believe this could be one way of doing that.
"We realise many parents may be anxious but this isn't set in stone and anyone who wishes us to review the decision can do so.
"We're giving parents nearly a year to make any changes."
A consultation over the changes took place earlier this year and was approved by cabinet in April.
Anyone who wants the council to review their circumstances should write to the SEN assessment service at County Hall.
Comments
by MacMonkey74
Friday, October 19 2012, 11:29AM
“So what is that saying about the eye of the needle then...seriously? As I thought it referred to having loose motions! Sense of humour failure or what eh?
The fact of the matter is that LCC have to cut services and whilst this is going to make life harder for those affected I'm not sure that you can say they are in desperate need. I am speaking of course as an outsider so anyone who can paint a fuller picture of just how badly they will be affected I'm all ears.”
by prog_rock_fan
Thursday, October 18 2012, 5:03PM
“@: "The authority estimates the move could save £300,000 a year"
...at the cost of even pretending to give a damn about children with special needs.
Well done, LCC transport bosses! No one can accuse you of being two-faced; it's clear you have only one - and it bears an uncanny resemblance to the visage of Ebenezer Scrooge.”
by Bob491
Thursday, October 18 2012, 12:53PM
“f007e, I agree with you. If the churches were more christian, then maybe more people would attend.
Now what was that saying about the eye of a needle?”
by f007e
Thursday, October 18 2012, 12:27PM
“Bob491, perhaps that's what Christianity is ostensibly all about, but in reality the Vatican is one of the wealthiest organisations in the world while their pronouncements keep their 'flock' in penury. As I understand they still solicit donations from their followers.”
by Bigroy1340
Thursday, October 18 2012, 12:21PM
“We should be thankfull that our counsellors and MP`s do such a wonderfull job, that they need to make all these saving so they have enough money for their expenses and tax fiddles. Local elections coming soon remember that. They are not here as a public service , we are here to keep paying for their inefficencies and bank accounts of themselves and their mates.”
by Bob491
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 9:25PM
“Someone has to pay to keep the over wealthy in the lap of luxury!
Personally I think that over wealthy individuals and companies should pay more, so that those in desperate need can be assisted. That's what Christianity is all about.”