The council came under fire from a Sidcup family who had actually been rejected school transportation for their child who suffers from an uncommon chromosome condition and can not walk.
Rather, they were provided a travel allowance of ₤ 1,200 to cover fuel expenses of taking her to the Willow Dene School in Greenwich.
At the time, Paul Jenkins, dad of seven-year-old Lily Rose, said the household had actually been given this service for five years, and could not comprehend why it had actually been eliminated.
After they appealed the choice, the household was informed they had actually not supplied adequate proof of Lily Rose’s condition. Mr Jenkins insisted: “We supplied all the evidence we could.”
A Bexley council spokesperson initially told News Shopper the personal spending plans plan had been developed to use moms and dads more versatility in how they take their kids to school.
After another appeal, the council has now given Lily Rose her taxi service for the coming year – a decision her dad has described as “excellent news.”
However, the household has actually been in touch with a charity called Contact, who has actually implicated the council of running a policy that contradicts the 1996 Education Act.
According to the act, a family with a handicapped kid who is qualified for school transportation can be provided a travel allowance rather of a vehicle service – but only with adult permission.
Mr Jenkins and his better half, Karen, claim they were turned down on their very first appeal of the choice, regardless of not consenting to getting the allowance.
A spokesperson for Bexley Council told News Consumer: “We can not engage in a public discussion about any kid, but we will examine our communications with moms and dad and carers to make sure their choices are discussed.
“When kids or young individuals are assessed as eligible under set nationwide and regional criteria related to ‘statutory walking range’, we provide them a Personal Travel Support Budget Plan (PTAB) in the very first instance.
“This gives them the opportunity to create their own travel services and provides them as much flexibility as possible.
“Our policy has actually been created in the interest of our families, kids and youths as well as regional council tax payers.
“If the household of a kid that is eligible feels that a PTAB would not offer proper assistance at that particular point in time, we will use them another option or kind of travel support.
“We have actually made this clear to all those families we are currently helping.”
Source
http://thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/16603068.bexley-council-defends-record-of-giving-transport-to-disabled-children/
source http://taxi.nearme.host/bexley-council-defends-record-of-providing-transport-to-disabled-children/
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