We're sat talking to a parent of a seven year boy who has Down's Syndrome, amongst other conditions, and has additional needs, including Salford Council transport to his school.
"The bus is a fundamental part of his development" she says "When he's on the bus the escort does the sign language, colouring books, sing songs, colouring etc, and it's a very controlled environment that prepares him for that day at school. As soon as the bus comes it's like he's in school mode. And it's safe; you know that he is not in a situation where he might be taken advantage of...
"For the Council it is all about pounds and pence, and they're not thinking about the child and the parents" she adds "I think the Council is affecting the future of children who are very vulnerable – their needs should be guaranteed, that they can live a life that everyone is entitled to. I think it's quite cruel to penalise the most vulnerable."
When Salford Council axed transport for adults with disabilities there was a huge fight back by parents and carers which saw the Civic Centre lawn occupied for a protest picnic by campaigners, many in wheelchairs, while demonstrations and court cases followed.
"Even when they were cutting adult transport we said `Well at least they can't cut the kids' but they are and that's what is upsetting people" explains Noreen Bailey, who led that campaign and now jointly runs the SEARCH Salford Community Committee "Everyone's disgusted. It's got to be stopped; God knows what's going to happen. We used to think there was a statutory duty to provide school transport but apparently not."
Government policy is incredibly loose and useless on the subject. All it states is that local authorities should "make transport arrangements for all children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of their mobility problems or because of associated health and safety issues related to their special educational needs (SEN) or disability...
"Eligibility, for such children should be assessed on an individual basis to identify their particular transport requirements" it adds "Usual transport requirements (e.g. the statutory walking distances) should not be considered when assessing the transport needs of children eligible due to SEN and/or disability." (see here)
Salford Council passed the transport cut of £120,000 for children with Special Educational Needs last year but now parents understand that it's about to come into force via reassessments which could see kids kicked onto public transport or getting parents, who might have been up all night, to take their sons and daughters to school themselves.
The Council, in its budget report, tried to put a positive spin on the cut, insisting "The proposal would maximise the independence of young people, with independent travel training and review of travel arrangements, plus continued efficiency of school travel arrangements to reduce the need for the Council to provide transport..."
But talk to any parent of a child with additional needs and the issue is nowhere near as simple as that...
"My son has a heart condition and his immune system is very low so he can't be in a damp environment" the seven year old's parent explains "He's not very safe walking, doesn't follow instructions and if he's out he can run off. He used to have a wheelchair but now has a booster seat as he wants to be like other children. But he's very bendy and can get out of it, so the escort sits with him on the bus.
"What is also quite evident is that some children respond differently to the escort and their parents, like any child" she adds "It's another form of reinforcement to the child, learning about respect and responsibility. If you take some children on public transport you can get abuse if the child has a meltdown. It's not a nice atmosphere for the child. Our son has been quite protected and I wouldn't like him to be in that situation. He may be seven but he's not `seven'. It's about not putting him and others in danger.
"He can wake at 2am and I'm up with him, and I get very, very tired" she says "So I don't trust myself to drive in the morning because, once he's gone to school, I'll go and have another hour or so sleep before I start the day of paperwork and appointments. His dad works away a lot and could be in London or a different country and I have no family or neighbour support at all. It's just myself and him most days."
There's dozens of complications with every child who gets Council transport taken away in the drive for `efficiency' and `maximising the independence of young people'.
But at the heart of the matter is society being dismantled to the point where it can't even put school buses on for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the city. While, of course, finding £19million for a garden (see here) and over £4,000 a week to maintain a public square and fountain (see here).
"You put your children first and make sacrifices because they are the most precious thing in the world" says the parent "I think the Council just think `They'll work round it'; that we've got that much going on in our lives we haven't got the time or energy to put up a fight. But if this isn't fought what else is there for our children in the future?"
This Thursday evening, 7th January, the SEARCH Salford Community Committee and Salford Against The Cuts have called a public meeting for all parents whose children use the Council's transport to get to schools like Oakwood, Chatsworth and Springwood...
Eccles Councillor Peter Wheeler will be there and Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long-Bailey has been asked to attend...
"We need to get as many parents as possible to go" says Noreen Bailey "When they cut transport for adults, people were frightened but there's nothing to be frightened of. The fact is that if you don't fight you're going to lose it. You've got nothing to lose. And if you do fight you've got a chance to save it."
Transport Cuts Public Meeting
Thursday 7th January 7pm
The Royal Oak, Barton Lane, Eccles M30 OEN
For further details email noreenbailey2012@live.com
Or Norma lilacfantasia@ntlworld.com
See also the SEARCH Facebook page – click here
UPDATE: 8th January - see meeting report - click here
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