College for vulnerable teens is a ‘lifeline’ but their council has now put the brakes on funding transport for young people who would not be able to keep themselves safe if they travel alone
Mums say their Reform-controlled council has started “targeting the most vulnerable” including their children.
Tina Andrews, 59, from Borough Green in Kent, says she is appalled after finding out her daughter has become a victim of the latest savage cost-saving at Kent County Council.
Kimberly, 20, is autistic and has complex needs and is currently taken to and from her college by taxi, alongside five other vulnerable students.
But now they’ve been told their safe transport is being taken away, leaving parents “feeling very anxious and stressed”.
Tina says they have been “trying to shield” their children from the worry about how they will be able to carry on attending college come September.
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“It’s appalling they are targeting the most vulnerable people in society. To me, Reform has a culture of ignorance and marginalisation,” Tina told the Mirror.
Kimberly added: “I just think it’s absolutely appalling because I have autism and I like a routine. When that routine is destroyed I get really upset and distressed and for me that’s just discrimination for people with disabilities.”
Mum of two Karen Whitehead, 55, a charity worker from Meopham, is also worried, after being given a ‘no’ for the next term for her son Aaron, 20.
He has autism and severe delay in speech, language and communication. He also has osteoporosis and curvature of the spine.
“It’s absolutely shocking. He is the most loving, caring individual you’d ever meet. He’s adorable. His college is his lifeline, it would affect his mental health severely if he couldn’t get there.”
Kent County Council has now completely changed their policy and many families who are currently receiving transport are being told ‘no’ for the new college year.
“These people are talking like people with no lived experience of disability,” Tina told The Mirror, pointing out comments previously made by the Reform leadership.
The party’s Deputy Leader Richard Tice described children wearing ear defenders in classrooms as “insane” and called for the practice to stop, arguing it reflects an “over-diagnosis” of special educational needs (SEN).
While Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has admitted they would cut support for many claimants of disability benefits if it won power at the next general election, with the cuts focusing on those he claims do not “genuinely deserve help”.
Tina said these comments showed “real ignorance” adding: “These types of comments are really, really damaging.”
“My daughter uses ear defenders, that’s not for fun, she has a sensory processing disorder and they help her to focus on her learning. They are a necessary tool – not a toy.”
She says to her it seems vulnerable young people like her daughter “don’t matter as much” to the party. “that’s what I see from Reform.”
Referring to their rejected transport application, she said the Reform-led council are not trying to assist exhausted families, “they are just trying to find ways of actively not helping us.”
She explained how Kimberly has been assessed as needing transport since she was eight years old. “Her needs haven’t changed at all but I’m being told now that at the moment, the answer is ‘no’ for this September. This is cost saving exercise. They are taking money from the most disadvantaged.
“It’s a 20 minute drive away which doesn’t seem far but for a young person who can’t access public transport, it might as well be three hours away!”
“She simply cannot travel by herself, she would not know how to manage if a train was cancelled or a bus was late. She also can’t manage loud noises such as sirens…She has no real concept of stranger danger and is an extremely vulnerable young person.
“They are putting pressure on families who already have to fight for everything, it is one more thing to worry about.”
About the policy change, Tina said: “The college has told us the situation is looking very bleak and even their most challenged students are being told ‘no’. They are supposed to consider applications on a case by case basis but it seems they are just saying no to everyone.
“Everybody in Kimberly’s taxi has been told no. So it seems to be happening across the board. ”
About the joy her daughter gets from college, she adds: “She does love it and she’s got friends there, it’s a lifeline for her.
“She is worried, she said to me ‘all my friends are talking about the transport mum, talking about their taxis’.
“Kimberly has generalised anxiety disorder as a lot of them do. So any slight change in routine, or anything uncertain, can be highly anxiety provoking.”
Aaron’s mum, Karen said she was told she had not sent supportive evidence – despite providing the council with two risk assessments.
“I don’t think they are reading them. He can’t go anywhere on his own. We have a little park two minutes away and he cannot even go there on his own, he has very little danger awareness. Anybody who appeared friendly he would possibly go with them.”
She explained how he holds her arm when they are out as he is extremely anxious. So college provides him with vital independence where he feels safe getting there in a minibus with his friends.
“She says to him college is ‘his job’ where he goes four days a week. It would have a severe impact on his life. It’s incredibly sad and I don’t know what they are thinking. I now need to appeal.
“It’s like you have to fight for everything. I feel really appalled and disgusted about it. These are individuals who want to go to college. Some of these young adults. That’s their job for them, without it Aaron would sit at home and rot away. There’s nothing else for him. It’s really distressing
“It’s always a battle for him. We shouldn’t have to fight for these young adults.
“When I die, It’s literally him and I’m trying to prepare him for the future. Without things like college what he is going to do. It’s an emotional roller coaster.”
Kent County Council has been approached for comment.
