Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Warwickshire and nationally need consistent and reliable transport arrangements to and from school. Many of these children find security and support in routine and familiar faces. When a transport provider changes, it disrupts their sense of stability, leading to anxiety, stress, and a profound impact on their mental well-being. To safeguard the emotional and psychological health of SEND children, it is crucial that current regulations for home to school transport contracts be revised to allow for terms exceeding five years.

Statistics show that consistent environments significantly benefit children with SEND, fostering better educational outcomes and personal growth. A study conducted by the National Autistic Society highlighted that stability and routine can lead to improvements in behavior and learning. Furthermore, a survey involving parents of SEND children revealed that 85% witnessed negative behavioral changes when transport providers were frequently altered.

Currently, contracts for home to school transport services in Warwickshire are capped at five years. This limitation often forces local authorities to switch providers more frequently than necessary and is influenced by wcc allocating providers that are cheapest regardless of children’s welfare Extended contracts would not only maintain important relationships between providers and students but also decrease the stress and administrative burden on families who require time to adapt to new systems and individuals.

Actionable steps include lobbying Warwickshire County Council to implement policy changes that would allow contract extensions beyond the five-year cap. Additionally, engaging with local MPs to push for legislative amendments in Parliament could ensure these needs are recognized at a national level.

This petition aims to provide SEND children with a stable and supportive school transport experience in Warwickshire and nationally. Sign this petition to champion the growth, comfort, and development of our SEND community by extending the duration of transport contracts, and help safeguard and create an environment where children flourish in familiar surroundings.