SEND children facing 4-hour round trips each day

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has urged the Government to take urgent action to address the severe shortage of specialist school provision, which is forcing children with high levels of need in her constituency to endure exhausting four-hour round trips to school each day.

Speaking in Parliament, Helen highlighted the impact that long travel times are having on vulnerable children and their families, particularly in light of the financial crisis facing local councils.

The MP has repeatedly raised the crisis in special educational needs provision in rural counties like Shropshire with Ministers in the Labour Government, raising an appalling case of a child missing a year’s education due to a lack of local space.

She has now once again pushed for action from the Labour Government.

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, asked, “A severe shortage of specialist provision and a council in dire financial straights is leaving children with severe levels of need in my constituency making four hour trips, round trips to school to get to school and back every day.

“It's too much for many of them to cope with.

“Could the Secretary of State outline what steps she's taking and working with local government to reduce these journey times for children who simply can't cope with them?

Catherine McKinnell MP, Minister for Education, replied, “The Honourable Lady raises a really important point. No child should struggle to get to school because of a lack of transport, but also no child should have to travel great distances if there can be a place in their local mainstream school that is inclusive and appropriate. And that is what we are determined to deliver for all children, to relieve both, make sure they get the best opportunities, but also for their families too.