Disabled boy from Wem returns to school in transport row u-turn

Rowan needs to be accompanied to school by a carer, his family say

A teenager with severe disabilities will be returning to school following a council u-turn in a row over transport funding.

Rowan, 16, from Wem has missed nearly half of the school year after his family discovered Shropshire Council planned to cut his allowance by 30%.

The council insisted its contribution would have still covered the cost.

After a five-month dispute with the teenager's parents, the local authority has reinstated the £4,702 a year rate.

The teenager, who has not been to school since the end of term in July 2023, suffers from profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

His life-limiting condition means he is unable to move, walk or swallow without help and is fed through a tube.

Until the age of 16, his parents juggled the task of driving him to and from school with a carer in tow and were provided with an allowance to cover the costs.

However, at the end of last summer, they were told this fee would drop to £3,344.

On Wednesday, the family were contacted by the local authority and informed of the its decision to keep paying the allowance they had previously received.

While the u-turn has been described as "great news" by Rowan's father Paul, the family say they are "disappointed" no other transport solution such as a taxi has been offered.

Moving jobs

In a bid to help cover the costs, Paul, 55, plans to move nearly 150 miles away for a better paid job to support the family.

His mother Sharon, 54, will make four journeys a day, totalling 44 miles, to take Rowan to and from school in Shrewsbury.

She said: "The most sad part of it is the unfairness towards Rowan because he has to go to this particular school, there's nowhere else he can go."

Paul, Rowan's father described the extra funding as "great news"

Rowan needs an oxygen machine at night, which means energy bills are high, but his parents say their fight is not just about money.

Paul added: "It breaks my heart as a parent. We try our best and we've fought every day for nearly 17 years looking after this child who's solely dependent on us."

David Shaw, assistant director of education and achievement at Shropshire Council, said bosses had been working extensively with Rowan's family to help resolve their concerns.

Mr Shaw said the council had put in place a financial solution that fully covered the cost of the return transport so the family didn't have to spend any money.

"We take each case on an individual case by case basis, including additional consideration where children and young people have particularly complex needs," he said.

Mr Shaw added the council wanted to ensure special educational needs (SEND) school transport supported pupils with the greatest needs but faced increased budget pressures.

"We are currently undertaking engagement activities with our local SEND communities to work with us to develop ideas and possible solutions," he said.

Shropshire Council is consulting on plans to cut transport help for most special needs children over 16 and those in nursery - other than in exceptional circumstances. This year Shropshire Council is making savings of around £50m.

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan said: "I think it's very important to acknowledge that there's a huge funding crisis in councils, but these are some of the most vulnerable people in our society."