Vertas, which is contracted by Suffolk County Council for school transport, responds to concerns raised by mum of autistic boy from Stowmarket

A company that provides transport to special schools has been criticised by a mum for causing ‘unnecessary upset’ to her autistic son and other children with additional needs.

The mum, of Stowmarket, who does not wish to be named, said changes to his bus route, without warning, have left him feeling so anxious that he does not want to go to school.

She is now having to drive him to and from The Priory School in Bury St Edmunds every day, as well as driving to work elsewhere in Suffolk.

Vertas is commissioned by Suffolk County Council to provide specialised transport services, including accessible transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

A spokesperson for the company said it recognised changes to school transport arrangements can be unsettling for students with additional needs and their families.

They said: “Each year, demand for school transport continues to grow and sometimes adjustments to routes and staffing are necessary to accommodate.

“We strive to manage these changes efficiently and sensitively, focusing on the needs of students and their families.”

The spokesperson said Vertas takes ‘proactive steps to support transitions’, including arranging personalised meet-and-greet sessions for students with new drivers and passenger assistants.

Despite this, the mum said no parents on her son’s original route were informed of changes before the start of the new school year.

She said: “We had to ring up and find out for ourselves. I was told my son had been placed on a route with adults he didn’t know and none of the peers he shared transport with last year.”

The family was also not made aware of arrangements for a meet-and greet.

Calling this ‘unacceptable’, she said it completely goes against her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which states he requires familiar adult support.

This is something that has been reiterated by his class teacher in a letter to Suffolk County Council. The mum has also complained to the council and Vertas.

Lawrence Chapman, regional director for SEND and outdoor learning at the Eastern Education Group, which runs The Priory School, said: “We very much recognise the importance of safe transport to and from school. We work closely with the council and Vertas and are in ongoing discussions about these issues.”

Vertas said that where concerns are raised, it works closely with families to explore a range of solutions and support options.

The spokesperson said: “As a long standing partner to Suffolk County Council and the local community, the safety and wellbeing of the children we transport is always our top priority.”

They encouraged those with concerns to contact the company directly.

Suffolk County Council was approached for comment, but said it didn’t have anything further to add.