A DISABLED child from a Penarth school was left on a bus after not being dropped home.

The student of Ysgol y Deri on Sully Road was found on the CJ Contract Services bus at a Barry depot after the minibus had failed to drop the child home.

The council has apologised for the incident but has said the school was not at fault.

The council has cancelled the contract with the transport provider for this pupil as a result and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

David Davies, head of achievement for all at the Vale council, said: “We are very sorry for the impact that this incident has had on the pupil and their family.

“This incident was an unacceptable failure on the part of the private transport provider and their contract for transporting this pupil was terminated with immediate effect.

“An investigation into the incident is now taking place in line with the All Wales Child Protection Procedures and appropriate action will be taken following its conclusion.

“While the investigation is still ongoing it is clear that no fault at all lies with the school, where staff acted swiftly to support the parents as soon as it became apparent that the pupil had not been returned home. Staff at the school are now providing counselling to this individual pupil.

“Enhanced training for all contracted SEN pupil transport providers will be delivered during the next two weeks.”