Home to school transport help

**Vanilla**

Little bit of back story and i'm sorry if this is long but could really do with some advice.

My DD attends a special school over 40 miles away and has done for the last 3 years. The board provide her home to school transport, her and 2 other boys. The first year she attended the school she left here at 7.15am and reached school at 8.50am which was great as it gave her time to get to her class room and put her coat ect away. All parents were very happy with this run. She was attending the primary end of this school.

Last year the board changed the route and a few more children joined the taxi, the taxi also changed to a different company. The board decided that the taxi run was too long and changed the pick up time to 7.30am. The taxi from the year before was now only taking 1 boy to school and our new taxi was taking my child and 3 others (2 going to another special school and 1 going to same school as my DD). The new time left them half an hour late each day. I spoke to board about my concerns and that these children were missing there first lesson every day. The board told me to 'put up and shut up and if i don't like it i can take her myself'. Now i did contact my local MP who sent a letter and then told me there was nothing he could do.The school year passed with my DD missing her first lesson every day. Getting homework from that class and not knowing what it was about, rushing to get to class each morning. This was her first year at the high school end and lots more moving from class to class.

This year the taxi company changed again, pick up was 7.05am and 6 children in the taxi. My DD was getting to school at 8.50am giving her time to get ready for her school day. I know one of the mothers was very unhappy with the pick up times and thought it was to early (this child has been on the same run as my DD from the first year, he came onto the run half way through the year). Then 2 weeks ago 2 children where taking off this taxi run andprovided there own taxi from their area (all kids spread out through the country). Last week 2 more kids are taking off and giving their own taxi. So my DD and the (mum whos not happy) child are on the run together going to 2 different schools. I know this mother has complained and contacted her MP. The board contacted me on friday to change the time of the run. Now the run pickup time has changed to 7.30am for my DD so she is back to missing half an hour every day. All the kids that got new taxi's are all in on time. I told the board on friday that i wasn't happy and that this would leave my DD late again. The woman was lovely and told me to ring her monday if DD is late (there is no if's she will be late). Now i explained to my DD that they would be late to school only for her to say that the other school doesn't actually start until 9.30 so if he's late it will only be by a few minutes.

Now the board walked all over me last year and i didn't know this other school started later. I always thought it started at 9am same as 's school.I will of course speak to them again tomorrow and also DD's school as I don't want her marked as late but what else should i be doing? The board was so rude to me last year and really didn't care that my DD was missing out on education, they refused to even look at their decision again.

Now this year i won't be backing down but i want to know what is the right way to go about things. Any help would be great, thanks for reading.

fluffnutter

How are all the other parents influencing the board so easily yet they tell you to 'put up and shut up and if you don't like it you can take her yourself'?

The only thing you can do is express your concerns in writing, explaining that missing part of her lessons is adversely affecting your daughter's education. What other parents do, or don't do, isn't really the issue. I don't doubt it's frustrating to feel that they're getting their own way, but really you don't know what the situation is regarding their arrangements and wranglings with the 'board', you only know your own. So keep focused on this.

meritaten

If this doesn't work out - do you have a childrens commissioner? we do in Wales and this is the sort of thing they can help out with.

sassysare

Are you a member of any local special needs groups? My local one is fab for helping each other with all sorts of problems and there is always someone in the know.

I'm sorry I haven't got any specific advice, and wish you luck.

Tigsteroonie

Your local Parent Partnership may be able to provide advice & support

**Vanilla**

fluffnutter the other parent got her MP involved, I know the other child wasn't at school for a week because she wasn't happy. The child was back on run and on time for taxi everyday this last week (had been sleeping in or no answer when taxi got there since start of september) and then we got the phone call on Friday about the change in time.

I'm just really shocked that they just don't care. Last year was awful I was in tears on the phone because I was so angry at how they spoke to me and had such a disregard for my DD's education.

I will phone school in the morning to make sure they don't mark her as late and then i'll phone the board. I'll just explain it all to them again and if they don't do something then i'll have to put a formal complaint in and go above there heads.

I just don't understand what was the point in solving one problem to get another. They could easily put DD with the 2 other children that go to her school and have another taxi for the child that goes to the different school.

meritaten i'm not sure who we have but i'll find out.

**Vanilla**

sassysare wrote: »

Are you a member of any local special needs groups? My local one is fab for helping each other with all sorts of problems and there is always someone in the know.

I'm sorry I haven't got any specific advice, and wish you luck.

I am but i'm not sure they would know what to do just a very small group of family's with deaf children.

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Your local Parent Partnership may be able to provide advice & support

I didn't see anything for my area, i'm in Northern Ireland.

meritaten

When dealing with the LEA with children with special needs its often the most 'aggressive' parent who wins. I would strongly suggest joining a 'support group' for your area with the emphasis on the specific 'Need' of your child. They usually know how who to go to, how to get help, and will SUPPORT you!
for example - my DD has two children with Aspergers - she is a member of the regional Aspergers/Autism group. through them she has had information and support which she couldn't get elsewhere.

meritaten

There MUST be a Deaf and Hard of hearing support group. even if its for the UK and N Ireland its worth joining as they should be able to help you!

**Vanilla**

I really do think that who ever shouts loudest will win. So if they refuse to change things back then I will be seeking advice from a solicitor and go right above there heads, plus i'll put a letter of complaint in.

Fingers crossed it won't come to that but going by last year it wouldn't surprise me. Thanks again everyone for your advice, i'll update tomorrow.

cannyscot_2

I have a partially sighted child and I think you should stick to your case stating that they must accomodate your childs needs:-

1. Missing half an hour of education has a detrimental and stressful effect on her. For a child with an impairment there is a huge stress getting through a full school day without having to catch up.

2. She is being put at a disadvantage with her peers as rather than get to school on time and formnormal relationshsips she is being made to be "different".

I would ask for support on these matters from her HI teacher, Educational psych and any there should be an educatio officer at the RNID Northern Ireland as well I would think.

I think it is unacceptable and very stressful for your child so stay calm and keep repeating your case-get as many professionals as you can to support you .GP, etc.

Having been there persistance is key!