Special needs children’s transport to school under review as council seeks to save money
PARENTS OF children with special needs could be given money to organise their transport to school as part of a council’s drive to cut its budget.
Rotherham Council is asking parents with children who need specialist transport to school to take part in a new consultation.
The authority needs to save £42m over the next two years and is warning that current arrangements are unsustainable.
Options on the table include ‘personal transport budgets’ giving parents money to make their own arrangements and providing training to help more children travel independently.
Damien Wilson, Rotherham Council’s strategic director for regeneration and environment services, said: “We want work with parents, carers, families and schools to ensure all children requiring travel assistance are able to get to and from school safely.
“That is why it is vital that we hear from families their views, so we can ensure the best possible outcomes for all concerned, for children now and for future generations.
“We need to be clear however, that we are in a situation where the current arrangements are not sustainable in the long term so there will have to be some changes.”
The council’s current approach includes help with journeys on buses and providing transport through contracts with coach, minibus and taxi providers.
Jayne Fitzgerald, from the Rotherham Parents’ Forum, said: “It is important that the voice of parents, children and young people are heard through this consultation as this will help the council understand the needs of families living with special needs and disabilities in Rotherham.
“This is an opportunity to use experience of families to shape the service for better outcomes for children and young people.
“Therefore we strongly encourage all families to take time to share their views so the council can use these views to shape future services.”
Parents can take part in the consultation, which runs until Friday November 10, online at: www.rotherham.gov.uk/consultations.