Hi everyone,

Myself, my sons mum, Lisa, and Tanya need some support.

Our children, Charlie, Ellis and Evan receive Wigan Council's "Home to School Transport" and the picture is provided, this screenshot was taken on 31/8/2022.

Charlie and Ellis have had this transport for 2 years and are now going into their third year at a special needs school due to them having a Statement of Special Needs, known now as an EHCP.

We have been informed during the summer holidays that transport will now pick our children up from a designated pick-up point which geographically isn't too far away but whilst in the process of dealing with numerous other children, some with their own special needs and issues, is quite far.

Our children do not deal with change very well for a start, but the pick-up point isn't suitable for our family's needs, basically because of the following reasons:

• Our children won't adapt well to this change due to their needs.
• It affects family life whilst having other children to get ready in the morning for school who have their own special needs and as a parent, this is very very difficult, add to that the fact that due to these needs, we can be up most of the night and have very little to no sleep.
• Bad weather can make either these, our other children or all of them ill which means they would not be able to attend school which would then cause additional issues to get children to the pick-up points.

Evan

Evan is Tanya's son, Evan is a prime example of how this is a bad idea, Evan suffers from Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, which basically means, should he become ill, he could require surgery which he wouldn't be able to have due to illness, surgery is essential to stop the Papilloma from reaching his lungs, this in turn is life threatening for him, he has currently had 80 operations to date at his young age.

We have argued this case with the required Transport department, but they have said that after a meeting with numerous people involved, the decision would not be changed, and this is not fair.

I am personally in a position now to have to home school Charlie because he would have to go to school late, this would then affect his attendance record and therefore, could bring Children's Social Care in, which isn't fair at all.

As parents, we need to think about ALL of our children's needs and this affects family life and goes against the practicality of this being as stated "Home to School Transport".

This is going to be a big fight and we need some help, so please support myself, Lisa, Tanya, Charlie, Ellis and Evan to get them the support they need by following the protocol of the intended service and please sign our petition.

Thank you

Martin