Hello, I am parent who has 2 children with severe learning disabilities, autism and they are non verbal and they spend up to two hours daily commuting to and from school on a bus with a stranger. Like many others in Rochdale, UK, this concerning circumstance has urged me to request the installation of CCTV on all school transportation catering for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabilities.

Nearly one out of every 20 children in England has some form of Special Educational Needs (SEN), with almost 20,000 of those children attending Rochdale schools according to data from the Department of Education. These children, like my sons, are vulnerable and depend on trustworthy adults for their safety during school commutes. However, as parents, we can't set aside our worries when they are in the care of strangers, necessitating an additional protective measure.

Implementation of CCTV cameras on school buses can provide an extra layer of safety and assurance. It can serve as a deterrent against inappropriate behaviour and a tool for evidence collection in the unfortunate event of an incident. Scotland, for instance, has already taken steps to equip school buses with CCTV cameras to ensure student safety whilst commuting, which is a move that has been commended by parents and educators alike.

Let's stress the importance of the safety of our children and demand the Rochdale local government to consider implementing CCTV on all school transport for children with SEN and disabilities. Please sign and share this petition. Let's insist on a higher level of security for our most vulnerable young people. Together, we can affect change, safeguard our children, and lend them the voice they may not have. So, please, sign this petition.