Let Billy Go to School

The NUT Strike Rally on July 5th rally heard the story of local teacher and NUT member Leanna Forse, who faces having to give up her teaching job, as the local authority will no longer fund his specialist transport to school.

Billy Forse was born with a rare- possibly unique- chromosome disorder which has left him with profound disabilities. He has thrived at a local special school, however since turning 16, while the County Council expect him to attend school, they will no longer provide transport, leaving mum Leanna- a single parent- either having to find in excess of £500 per month to pay for specialist transport, or giving up her job as an English teacher in an Eastbourne school.

In the climate of cuts to adult and children's services, transport for disabled youngsters over 16 is considered "discretionary"; and in an extraordinary judgment, the council has determined that Billy's profound disabilities and thus the need for specialist transport, do not constitute an "exceptional circumstance"  They also concluded in a letter that they did not consider that Leanna faced "financial hardship" as a result.

AND NEARLY EVERYONE AGREES!...

Leanna and Billy's 's case is one of those rare occasions where nearly everybody seems to agree- apart from the County Council, of course! Local political figures have joined together to express their support:

Former Lib Dem MP for Eastbourne, Stephen Lloyd said: "...what really gets my goat is the county council accept that under 'exceptional circumstances' they do have a duty to provide school transport but somehow it doesn't apply here. This is plain wrong in my view and the reason is simple; Billy's mum - Leanna - cannot remain in employment AND take Billy to and fro school every day but if support is not forthcoming, she'll have no choice but to give up her job. Ehhh!? Are the council seriously suggesting that she should become unemployed so her disabled son can still attend his school, which he needs to for his own progress and is also legally bound to do?"

Dave Brinson, vice-chair of Eastbourne Labour Party wrote to local County Councillors, expressing amazement that the authority appeared to be suggesting that an additional £500 per month would not cause 'financial hardship' to the single mum: "It seems ludicrous that a panel could make this assumption of a single mother on a main-scale teacher's salary. Is it the policy of the County Council to ensure that our disabled youngsters receive the support to which they are entitled, or does the authority actively seek technicalities to save money by depriving them of this ?!"

Even our local Tory MP was critical of the Conservative-run County Council. Caroline Ansell MP said: "I understand the need for policy, but this young person turning 16 has no real bearing on his ability to get to school due to the level of his disabilities, and I have made this clear. “Flexibility must be applied so Billy can attend his classes and Leanna can continue her important work as a teacher. I know Leanna wants to take this case to the ombudsman and I have pledged her my support in her doing this."

Eastbourne Buzz have given this case some excellent coverage- you can see more below.