Derby City Council plans to reduce school transport for the majority of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) between the ages of five and 15. 

Why do children with SEND need school transport?

• Children with SEND often need to attend schools that aren't close by due to their needs not being met at the local mainstream school.
• Even if the school is close by, sometimes children with SEND have mobility issues that prevents them from going to school any other way than in a form of transport
• Some children cannot share a bus due to their needs (physical needs, sensory needs and/or emotional needs)
• There are many other reasons...

Why is there such a problem with the new policy proposals?

• The proposal will also see taxi transport for eligible children only agreed “in exceptional circumstances”, for instance a child who requires oxygen or a child who requires suction.
• Under the Education Act 1996 and the current DfE statutory guidance, local authorities in England have a duty to provide suitable home to school travel arrangements; all options should be considered. The council should not enforce a policy which has the potential to disadvantage children with SEND.

This new policy from Derby City Council has such restrictive 'exceptional circumstances' and so it is clear the proposed changes will disproportionately disadvantage vulnerable children with SEND and will see many of our children left without access to suitable transport options in September, leaving many children unable to get to school.

What are we asking Derby City Council to do?

We call on Derby City Council to reconsider the harmful changes currently proposed; to ensure that the policy remains lawful, fair and in line with the current statutory guidance.

Given the current focus on school attendance across the city, it is frankly appalling that Derby City Council is going to put in place such an enormous barrier for children accessing their learning.

We need as many people to sign this petition as possible to PROTECT OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

We implore Derby City Council to ensure that their home to school policy for children of compulsory school age remains in line with the Education Act 1996 and supporting legislation and protects suitable home to school transport options for children eligible under the SEND Criteria.

View the policy changes (highlighted in yellow) and submit your concerns  to the council directly by 24th March here;

https://www.derby.gov.uk/media/derbycitycouncil/contentassets/documents/education/send/travel/home-to-school-travel-assistance-policy-23-24.pdf