We have to drive 60 miles every DAY to get our son with special needs to school as his lift never arrives, it’s awful
A FAMILY have been forced to travel 60 miles every day to take their son with special educational needs to school because his lift never arrives.
Casey Lisle is in year one at Brookfield Special School and his family were told he would be collected by a taxi with a special care assistant everyday.
However, since the start of term transport has never turned up, which caused major stress for Casey due to his non-verbal autism and other special needs diagnoses.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Casey's mum, Louise said: "Casey is statemented and as part of that he is meant to be provided with transport to and from his school, along with an assistant to help him.
"On his first day of school when nothing showed up it really upset him and he got into quite a bad form from the disruption and became unwell and needed to go home early in the end. Due to his needs any disruption can have a huge impact on him."
The frustrated mum claimed the massive journey means her son arrives late because his siblings also need to be dropped off at a different school on the way.
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A spokesperson for the Education Authority said: “We can confirm that arrangements are now in place and we have been assured the service will commence from tomorrow, and we have been in touch with the family to advise.
We apologise for the inconvenience and upset caused and wish the pupil well for the year ahead."
Education Authority
Despite disruption to his daily school run, Casey has settled in nicely at his new school and was awarded 'Star of the Week.'
Another mum from Co Antrim, Northern Ireland was left furious after being forced to pay £44 for a taxi to take her daughter to school each day.
Christina's daughter Amelia is unable to get the bus and has learning difficulties such as ADHD but claimed the Education Authority is yet to provide transport.
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"I'm totally stressed out and exhausted by all of this, but until transport is sorted, my daughter is without any education. It just seems really unfair," she said.
An Education Authority spokesman added: “We are disappointed this experience has not been to the standard we would expect and we are continuing to work with the family to confirm alternative arrangements.
“Over 3,500 pupils, many of whom have Special Educational Needs, are transported to and from school by a taxi provided by EA and the well-documented shortage of taxi operators in Northern Ireland is impacting on some of our services this September."