Scheme which could have seen SEND children walk a mile to get to school put on hold

WATCH: ITV Anglia's Liz Summers reports on the concerns of parents of SEND children

Parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) in Northamptonshire say they are becoming increasingly concerned about plans to make their children walk up to a mile to bus stops to get to school.

The council was planning to introduce the 'pick up and set down points' initiative on Monday, 4 November. It would have meant some children would no longer get picked up and dropped off from home in a minibus or taxi.

The scheme has been put on hold until Spring 2020 but some parents are concerned that the problem will just resurface without a proper assessment of their children's needs and abilities.

Vanessa Jones says the council needs to treat every case individually Credit: ITV Anglia

Crisis-hit Northamptonshire County Council insists the move is not financially motivated, instead saying its focus is 'promoting independence for young people alongside operational efficiency'.

Northamptonshire County Council say the scheme will be paused until Spring Credit: ITV Anglia

Last month campaigners handed over a 2,000-strong petition to the county council after the authority paused its plans.

Some parents are calling for a full consultation process so they can raise any questions and concerns about the 'pick up and set down points' initiative.

The scheme was due to be launched on Monday Credit: ITV Anglia