Council ‘neglecting’ disabled children ‘to save a few pennies’
MOTHER FEARS TRANSPORT OPERATOR CHANGE WILL BE DEVASTATING FOR SON
THE mother of a teenage boy with learning disabilities says Gwynedd Council are “neglecting” kids to save money.
Helen Whitney, from Llanbedrog, has raised concerns about her 14-year-old son Adda after finding out that the taxi firm which has been taking him to and from Ysgol Hafod Lon in Penrhyndeudraeth for the last three years will no longer be able to provide the service.
Adda has learning disabilities and sensory processing disorder, something which Ms Whitney says impacts on his ability to adjust to a change in routine.
Gwynedd Council provides a free taxi service for children to attend the school which caters for pupils with a wide range of additional needs, but every three years different firms are able to “bid” on the routes, with the cheaper option winning the bid.
Having lost the bid, Ms Whitney says she is now concerned that the change in transport providers will have such an impact on Adda’s mental health that he will struggle to sleep and will refuse to go to school.
Ms Whitney said: “These children have built a safe and secure relationship with their transport providers and chaperones. We think of them as extended family now.
“For the council to remove that within weeks is souldestroying to the children and their families, just so the council can save a few pennies. It’s neglect.
“Change has a huge impact on Adda; he thrives on consistency.
“He will no doubt refuse to go to school; it will cause mass anxiety and confusion.
“His sleep will be affected due to the anxiety and it will impact on his younger brother and myself.
“He adores his transport provider.
“They are good mates; he’s built up a huge bond over the years.
“It really will be detrimental to his mental health.
“I know other parents and their kids will be devastated.
“It’s ruining any trust, chipping away at these kids’
mental health.
“I’m going to have utter hell and meltdowns when Adda finds out.
“I can understand cutting money for other services, but disabled kids?
“It can turn their worlds upside down.”
A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “To ensure the best use of public money, we are required to re-tender school transport contracts every three years in accordance with procurement procedures.
“The existing contracts will come to an end on March 31, with the new contracts commencing from the beginning of April.
“This process can inevitably result in a change of operator, and we appreciate that it can be an anxious time for pupils and parents.
“We can assure families that we take every step to ensure that the drivers and their vehicles are suitable to transport learners.
“Should parents wish to discuss matters regarding their child’s school transport, our officers are happy to discuss with them directly.”