More families blast East Ayrshire Council for axing of ASN transport
Another Ayrshire family has hit out at the cruel council cut which will see their autistic child denied transportation to and from school.
Willowbank parent Pamela Golightly says she's been left "concerned" regarding the treatment of her son, Lewis, by East Ayrshire chiefs.
Lewis, 15, is non-verbal and has severe learning difficulties. He has no awareness of danger, is unable to walk independently, and requires constant adult supervision and physical support when outside the home.
He frequently bolts without warning and must have his hand held at all times to ensure his safety.
He is also highly sensitive to loud environments, and when overwhelmed he self-harms by punching his head.
Lewis has been using ASN transport for the past 10 years without any issues before council bosses decided to end the service this summer.
Pamela told Ayrshire Live: "Due to autism, Lewis experiences significant distress when there are changes to his routine. His school transport has been a consistent and familiar part of his day for over a decade."
Pamela, along with other parents, received a refusal letter last month. She was told that because Lewis has a Motability vehicle, he is no longer eligible for council transport.
Pamela said: "I strongly disagree with this decision.
"The vehicle plays an essential role in enabling Lewis to access everyday life including medical appointments, community outings, and leisure activities that would otherwise be out of reach.
"It is used for general care purposes and supports his broader wellbeing, not as a replacement for statutory school transport.
"There is no legal rule that states having a Motability vehicle disqualifies a child from receiving council funded school transport.
"We feel that the appeal process has not taken into account the individual needs or disabilities of each child. In our case, the decision appears to have been based solely on the fact that we have access to a Motability vehicle.
"However, many families who were successful in their appeals also receive the high-rate DLA and have Motability vehicles. This raises concerns that the council may be granting transport assistance selectively, without fully considering the severity of each child's disability or the risks they face in public settings."
She added: "Lewis cannot safely walk to school even with assistance. The suggested walking route takes at least 46 minutes, but because he walks on his tiptoes and due to his physical and sensory needs, this would take considerably longer and cause significant distress.
"He has no understanding of the route or of the concept of school and would be entirely unable to navigate this journey independently.
"Lewis requires specialised support during transitions, and public transport is entirely unsuitable due to his complex needs. He would need to take two buses, including a change at a busy bus station."
Pamela and her husband had a carefully arranged routine in place to meet Lewis's complex needs, and the removal of council-provided transport effectively renders that entire system unworkable.
Although the family has the vehicle, they are unable to drive it during school travel times as both parents have full-time jobs.
Over the past decade, Pamela and her husband have established a routine involving home sitters, after-school clubs, and childcare that enables them to maintain their employment including shift work.
Pamela said: "If Lewis's school transport is withdrawn, I will have no choice but to reduce my working hours significantly, if such a change is even possible within my current role.
"If not, I will be forced to give up my job entirely, bringing an end to a career I have worked hard to build.
"This would not only have serious financial consequences for our family, but it would also affect our wellbeing, stability, and ability to provide.
"We have carefully structured our lives to maintain employment while supporting our children, and the removal of transport would make that balance impossible to sustain."
Parents and carers who won an appeal are feeling "terrible" for other families.
Fraser Jardine, a father of nine-year-old Gracie who received approval for her transport after an appeal, said: "I feel terrible for others and hopefully they get the right decision soon.
"There are so many children that simply need transport who have still been refused and it's not good enough."
Council bosses claim they are spending £4.4 million on alternative transport costs per year - which equates to £22,800 per school day.
They said: "This level of overspend is unsustainable and could jeopardise the provision of this service in the future.
"The implementation of the new policy ensures that consistent steps are being taken, on a case by case basis, to ensure the future sustainability of alternative school transport through actions that protect it for children for whom it is absolutely essential."
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