Anger as teen misses start of college course

Michael Bradbeer, 18, missed out on his first weeks while waiting to find out if he would get help with transport.

Michael, who recently had surgery to correct a bone deformity, cannot use public transport as his right leg is still in a surgical cage. Six months down the line, his other leg will get the same treatment.

His mother Melanie Brown told the County Times that they needed West Sussex County Council’s (WSCC) help to get him to Northbrook College in Durrington.

“We contacted WSCC in May to see if they could provide a taxi to get him to college as we live in Storrington and he would be unable to use the bus and train,” she said.

They provided a note from Michael’s GP, but the council said it could not make a decision without consulting staff at the hospital in Oxford where the surgery was carried out.

Michael commented: “It’s a little bit unfair, because it’s pretty obvious, with this on, that I’m not going to be able to walk far.”

“He’s so brave,” said his grandfather Michael Leogue, explaining that Michael has to tighten the nuts and bolts on his leg twice a day in order for the bones to heal back together.

This week, the county council announced that it would be covering the cost of Michael’s taxi journeys.

Ms Brown said they were pleased but still unhappy about the way the situation had developed, and about the fact that Michael had missed his first weeks.

As it turned out, WSCC’s good news came with a sting in the tail - on Tuesday the college said that it had contributed all of Michael’s bursary to the fund to cover his taxis.

Ms Brown pointed out: “He now can’t claim for his meals at college, or any help with college costs ie books, stationery etc.” She said this setback makes it ‘harder to cope’, but would not stop him going to college.

A statement from the county council said: “Assistance with transport to colleges for post-16 students is only usually provided to young people with special educational needs. Although our policy would not automatically provide help in this instance, we have agreed to look into this case on exceptional medical grounds.

“This was followed up promptly as soon as the family provided us with contact details for Michael’s consultant in late August.”