Images Dated 1st May 2022

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Samantha Bowe with son Charlie


Charlie Bowe, aged 12, has just found a new school after being out of education for six months. The lad, who has autism and learning difficulties, had to leave his previous mainstream school as staff couldn't meet his needs.


But after battling to get him into a special school, Abbey Hill in Meir, his family have been left with a new challenge. Stoke-on-Trent City Council won't provide transport assistance so he can get from his home in Trentham to school each day.

As an alternative, the local authority offered Charlie's family a personal budget to go towards paying for a private taxi each day. But no taxi firms are available as they are either fully booked, don't do school runs or are insisting on a chaperone due to his age. His mum Samantha has now been forced to give up her job so she can drive him to school and back each day