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theoretica

**Vanilla** wrote: »

fluffnutter the other parent got her MP involved

Sounds like you might want to write a letter to yours! Is it the same MP?

hardpressed

I'm surprised that the school isn't complaining if she late every day because of the school transport. Perhaps they can contact the transport people and put a bit more pressure on them.

Nicki

Try SENAC which seems to be the Northern Irish equivalent of Parental Partnership here on the mainland. If they aren't quite the right people, they will probably signpost you on.

http://www.senac.co.uk/what-we-do

One solution might be to ask whether your daughter can be dropped at school before the child with the later start, if she is currently the second to be dropped even if her school is slightly further away.

I'd also second getting the head teacher of your daughters school onside. My DD goes to a special school via school transport too and her head goes mental if the transport is routinely late for school and shouts at the Local Authority until they sort it out

**Vanilla**

theoretica wrote: »

Sounds like you might want to write a letter to yours! Is it the same MP?

I went to our MP last year and he was useless, he sent a letter to them. They sent a letter back saying it won't be changed that that was the that. The MP said there was nothing more he could do.

hardpressed wrote: »

I'm surprised that the school isn't complaining if she late every day because of the school transport. Perhaps they can contact the transport people and put a bit more pressure on them.

I tried to get the school on board last year but they said it wasn't there area so they couldn't do anything. I'll be speaking to them today and hopefully they will change there minds.

Nicki wrote: »

Try SENAC which seems to be the Northern Irish equivalent of Parental Partnership here on the mainland. If they aren't quite the right people, they will probably signpost you on.

http://www.senac.co.uk/what-we-do

Thanks you, I will speak to them today if the board refuse to change the times back again.

One solution might be to ask whether your daughter can be dropped at school before the child with the later start, if she is currently the second to be dropped even if her school is slightly further away.

My DD is already the first to be dropped off. She was getting to school at 8.50am/8.55am then the other child was reaching school just after 9am. His school opens at 9am but doesn't start until 9.30am. Parent complained it was too early for him getting to school, forgetting the other children that need to be at their school before 9am.

I'd also second getting the head teacher of your daughters school onside. My DD goes to a special school via school transport too and her head goes mental if the transport is routinely late for school and shouts at the Local Authority until they sort it out

kingfisherblue

The NDCS cover Northern Ireland. It might be worth contacting their helpline. Membership is free and they also have activity days and weekends that your daughter might be able to attend as well.

https://www.ndcs.org.uk

Also, do you have a deafness centre near you? We have one in our area, and although most people think of it as a centre for adults, they do have activities for children as well. Both my teenage sons attend, one hearing and one hard of hearing with severe disabilities. The centre also has an advocacy service, which is what I am thinking May be useful for you and your daughter. I haven't had to use it, but I think our centre offers it for free.

Another thing to think about is your daughter's right to her education. I've no idea, but is there anything in the Children's Act covering this?

When you ring, make sure that you get the name of the person that you speak to. Make it clear that you are writing down their name, along with the date and time of the call, and the details of the conversation. If they cannot help you and won't refer you on to somebody who can, ask them to hang on whilst you make a note of that for your written complaint. If they don't put you onto a manager when asked, again make it clear that you are noting this down for your written complaint. This can encourage people to try to help you further, as few like their managers to receive a complaint about them.

Good luck x

**Vanilla**

Well just an update. DD didn't get in until 9.26am, she left in a panic that her teachers would be cross so I rang the school to let them know what was happening. Poor pet came home and said she had a nervous tummy all day.

I also informed the transport board, who said they would see how it goes and they would only review if the school complained. I explained that it just isn't exceptable for her to be late every day and that something would need to change.

Head teacher then contacted me and is going to keep a record of what time she gets in and then will make a complaint herself. She has had this problem before with another bus and complained until they could get the kids in on time.

Hopefully the transport board will take notice and we only have to put up with this for awhile.

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

Errata

TBH none of those commute times are good for a child's wellbeing of any age, special need or not. Presumably the return journey takes the same length of time?

**Vanilla**

Errata wrote: »

TBH none of those commute times are good for a child's wellbeing of any age, special need or not. Presumably the return journey takes the same length of time?

She gets home around 4.45/5pm depending on traffic.

bigmomma051204

Errata wrote: »

TBH none of those commute times are good for a child's wellbeing of any age, special need or not. Presumably the return journey takes the same length of time?

But if they live in a fairly rural area and the specialist school which she needs to attend is a long way away, then needs must..... :cool:

Its rubbish for you OP - hope you manage to get it sorted. The ridiculous thing is, if YOU as a parent were rocking up to school at nearly 9:30am every day, you would have the book chucked at you and be reported to education welfare officer (or NI equivalent) Typical schools :mad:

**Vanilla**

bigmomma051204 wrote: »

But if they live in a fairly rural area and the specialist school which she needs to attend is a long way away, then needs must..... :cool:

Its rubbish for you OP - hope you manage to get it sorted. The ridiculous thing is, if YOU as a parent were rocking up to school at nearly 9:30am every day, you would have the book chucked at you and be reported to education welfare officer (or NI equivalent) Typical schools :mad:

I know, was giving off about that today. The school have been brilliant tho and are really on our side. I just really hope it's sorted asap. The other child was in 2 minutes early for his school.