A mother of a teenage boy with autism has voiced her concerns over her son’s repeated missed school days due to ongoing issues with his bus not turning up. Catherine Williamson’s 15-year-old son Andrew requires Education Authority (EA) transport to take him from his home in Doagh to a special school in Ballymena. She has raised complaints with the EA multiple times because of the bus never showing up on various occasions.
Since the disruption began in September 2023, Williamson stated that her son Andrew has blamed himself for the bus not turning up, instilling feelings of doubt and self-denigration. Williamson firmly believes that structure is vital when it comes to children with special educational needs such as Andrew. The problem, in her view, has become “intolerable,” and she feels that she has made a considerable effort to address the issue, but nothing has come to fruition.
Catherine Williamson works as a nurse, and her husband works full-time, making it difficult for them to bring Andrew to school, which is 25 minutes away. Andrew’s school does not open until 08:45 GMT, making it a challenge for Williamson to start her workday on time. The EA apologised, explaining that the disruption was due to a shortfall in drivers and vehicles within the fleet.
The EA’s statement included an apology for the disruption and any breakdown in communication. EA stated that “It is becoming even more difficult to ensure our services remain operational when we encounter staff absences and vehicle breakdowns.” EA recognised the impact the disruption can have on the learning and routine of pupils and is committed to developing contingency plans and improving communication with families. Williamson shared her experience on social media and received messages from other parents with similar frustrations
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