SEN Transport

khublaikhan

One of my daughters (aged 14) is mentally disabled (mind the age of a 4 yr old). The council kindly provided transport to a special needs school as per her statement.

Up until last year the pick up/drop off point was from home but the Council, in their infinite wisdom, decided to change pick up point from home to a designated nearby area. Its hard enough trying to look after a child with such problems but now, come rain sun or snow we have to wait for the taxi - we are at the mercy of the local road conditions as to whether the taxi will arrive on time. This is hard as the child is not easy to control.

Most of the parents using this service objected to this when it was first introduced - it was imposed without consultation. Now, however, my younger child has started to attend a School and I cannot both drop the child off and wait for the taxi for the disabled child as well.

It is difficult to attend post school activities with my younger child, - because I have to be at the pick - up point waiting - in some cases the taxi has been very late. God forbid that we should be late, as an ear lashing from the taxi driver is what you get.

This process has made my life difficult - its supposed to make it easier.

My phone calls to the Local Authority, School and Taxi Service have fallen on deaf ears. Since my child has been of school age I have found that I have to fight tooth and nail with the authority at every step of the way. This takes the biscuit.

I need to know what my rights are in this situation and would appreciate any advice.

[Deleted User]

is there no one(family or friends)who could help out?

System

Even if the pick up point was home you would still have the same problems with your younger child for post school activities and dropping the child off at school.

Your only problem appears to be waiting around in all weathers instead of in the house

khublaikhan

The child can be controlled better at home - trying to control her outside is difficult to say the least. I do get help from family but its occasional. The taxi do pick up children who are physically disabled, one lives on the next street on but she is picked up 20 mins before our pick up point time - which would be ideal for me. And before you ask, no, the taxi is not prepared to take my child when they pick up the disabled child.

Its the inflexibility that is the issue here - and I just want to know my rights are. So far its either like it or lump it.

Plumjam

Try speaking to the Education Welfare Officer (EWO) about the effects on both of your children.
We had a situationn whereby our driver was told that he was picking up the children too early and arriving at the special needs school too early. If he'd collected my child any later, then my younger child would have been late for school every day. I asked a friend who's a local teacher what would happen if my child was late for school every day and was told that they would inform the EWO. I was quite prepared for this to happen as I could then explain that it's the fault of the authority - part of the reason for school transport (at least round here) is so that children at different schools (through no fault of their families) can attend on time.
(We have a fabulous driver who refused to inconvenience the families in this way - he collects as usual and waits around the corner from the school until the appropriate time)!

Savvy_Sue

Could be worth speaking to Parent Partnership and IPSEA. Mind you if the statement says "from home to school" you'd be on stronger grounds than just if it says "transport", IYSWIM.

bribri_2

Are you happy to name the borough? It might help if other people have dealt with them.

What does your child's Statement say and when is it due for renewal.

Has a risk assessment been undertaken for the pick-up point?

Definitely look at the IPSEA website e.g.

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/what-you-need-to-know/home/school-transport/transport-england.aspx.aspx#nonstressful
Non-stressful transport

The issue of school transport for children with statements was raised in the case of R v Hereford and Worcester CC, ex parte P, (1992), Times, 13 March. The court held that it was implicit that the transport provided by the local authority should be “non-stressful” if the child was to benefit from education.

Contact a local councillor.

How supportive are the two schools.

Yes you do need resilience to fight the LA but you don't need to be alone.

If the Driver is discourteous (or more extreme), then complain - go higher each time it is unresolved.

Best wishes

kurgon

khublaikhan wrote: »

The child can be controlled better at home - .

Wow.......