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WOKINGHAM teenagers with additional needs could face “heartbreak and confusion” if proposed changes to school transport go ahead, a parent has warned council leaders.
Wokingham Borough Council is considering removing fare-paying bus passes for post-16 pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
It also wants to scrap discounts for low-income families who pay for school buses, and tighten rules that say a child is only eligible if they applied for their nearest suitable school.
The council says the changes are necessary as demand and costs for council-run school transport have risen. But many parents fear it could stop their children from getting to the school they need – especially those with SEND.
Chris Roberts said such changes could have an impact on families with disabled people: “The Respite of Specialist College Placements, such as Newbury, allow us to remain together as a family unit. If the Executive force through this short-sighted proposal, then it will become a Pyrrhic Victory of monumental proportions.
“Many young people will no longer be able to attend their college courses and will remain at home with their family carers 24/7. The sheer pressure will lead to family breakdowns and considerable additional work for your Social Worker Teams.”
The proposed changes include replacing school bus passes for eligible post-16 students with a personal transport budget. The council would still consider providing specialist transport arrangements for those who need them.
Mr Roberts warned that the attempts to save money on school transport may lead to unforeseen extra cost in residential and social care, if disabled young people are unable to get to college.
He said: “From a financial perspective the weekly Residential Care Costs for a young person with complex and profound needs ranges from £5,000 to over £8,500 per week.
“You may save £500,000-plus on your Transport Budget, but your Adult Social Care Budget would have increased exponentially, through Social Worker and emergency placement costs, while your Residential Care Costs will go up by millions more.”
He continued: “Please listen to the parents, who continue to care for our disabled young people at home.
“The only result of this policy will be to break-up families, cause heartbreak and confusion for the disabled, whilst costing the council millions more in residential placement costs. Is this something you really want to do?”
Mr Roberts submitted his comments to Wokingham Borough Council’s leading executive committee, which is due to make a final decision on the changes at a meeting on Thursday, August 24.
