The parents of an autistic four-year-old boy are spending £60 a day on taxis to get him to his special school, after their application for specialist transport was rejected.
Ellie and Matthew's son Frank was given a place at a school about six miles from their home.
Matthew said: "We feel like we've finally got him into the right school for him to really prosper, and just like that it's been ripped away from him."
Birmingham City Council said four-year-olds starting school were not eligible for specialist transport until the term after their fifth birthday.
Merstone School in Solihull was the only setting that could meet the needs outlined in Frank's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Ellie and Matthew, who cannot drive, were left with no option but to escort Frank to and from school in a taxi, with four daily journeys from their Acocks Green home costing at least £60, or £300 per week.
The Cost of Transport Denial
Birmingham City Council has offered the family a personal transport budget of £340 per year.
Matthew said he and Ellie were "getting no sleep whatsoever," adding: "We can't sustain £1,000 a month."
He said that "the majority" of Frank's classmates were able to take a minibus to school because they fell under Solihull Council's transport policy, which covers all reception class pupils, regardless of their age.
The family said they would have to consider taking their son out of school until next September, unless their appeal against the lack of transport provision was upheld.
Matthew said: "If Frank was a neurotypical child, his school would be a 15-minute walk away, if that. We don't get that option. It's disgusting that the council is punishing the most vulnerable children because of their mismanagement."
Birmingham's Policy Under Scrutiny
In Birmingham, four-year-olds are considered pre-schoolers, even if they are starting reception class.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: “Pre-school transport is something that local authorities have no compulsory duty to provide and is typically a reduced offer when compared to 5-15 compulsory school aged transport."
The Labour-run authority added: "It is at the discretion of individual councils and would usually be in the form of personal transport budgets, as it is better that a parent can be supported to accompany a child of such a young age where possible.”
Several other parents have told the BBC their four-year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities have been denied transport.
Laura Crick said: "My boy has recently started a special school, we have been refused transport because he is four. I have a daughter in mainstream school whose start/finish time is the same. I have no way of getting them both to school and working."
Wider Concerns About Transport Cuts
A senior education leader told the BBC up to 50% of sixth form students with special educational needs in Birmingham were not in full time education because of cuts to the home-to-school transport service.
The council has stated that it provides school transport for 7,500 students who are eligible, but concerns remain about the impact of transport cuts on children with SEND and their families.
A Call for Change
Families affected by the transport policy are calling for a review of Birmingham City Council's approach to providing transport for children with SEND, arguing that the current system is failing to meet the needs of the most vulnerable children. They are urging the council to reconsider its stance and ensure that all children, regardless of age or disability, have access to the support they need to thrive in education.
The story of Frank and his family highlights the real-life challenges faced by families navigating the complex and often bureaucratic world of special educational needs.
This case raises serious questions about the adequacy of transport provision for children with SEND, the impact of budget cuts on essential services, and the need for greater support and understanding for families navigating this challenging terrain.
