Help with transport to school

WestonDave

Is there any way someone who is long term (i.e. nearly a year) ill with a physically debilitating condition (balance affected) can get some sort of assistance getting their child to/from school.


School is nearly a mile away, they don't drive and in any event wouldn't be safe to. Child isn't disabled so school transport service won't help. Not sure she gets DLA in any form as yet - signed off sick from low hours work so probably on ESA (apologies if using outdated terms!). She doesn't have a partner etc so no obvious help from there.


Any ideas? Might approach the local councillor to see if he has any ideas. Neighbours are helping to the extent they can but with an unpredictable condition its not always possible to ensure someone is available every week day either end of the day. The ideal would be some form of taxi transport provided by the council or via DLA type funding that enables her to provide it.

[Deleted User]

2 ideas,have they spoke to the school?maybe other parents could help?
or social services to see if help is available?

WestonDave

School have said they have no means to arrange it as a transport provision - we've tried arranging a parents rota of those parents who would pass the house but location means its a small number of people who understandably can't commit to an open ended arrangement. Its been going on for nearly a year and with other things to fit in around the school run "compassion fatigue" is starting to set in!


Social services is a good idea - whether they'd welcome intervention is another question.

rogerblack

Nearly a mile?
My god, that child would be facing a fifteen minute walk!

McKneff

Bit unfair there Rogerblack, I don't see an age in any of the posts but in fairness, this
child could be just six years of age.....


OP, how old is the child please.

sheeps68

I would talk to education welfare officer via school. They may be able to sort something if child is not attending school as parent cannot get them there.

WestonDave

Kid is year 5 (age 9) - to be fair we live slightly further away and wouldn't let our kid walk the route they'd have to alone just yet. Without saying too much parenting perhaps isn't the best but is not open to influence. Often the neighbour help is via picking the kid up as they walk past so its not a question of lift or nothing, its simply that the very small number who can reasonably pass and pick up isn't sustainable for long term assistance.


Perhaps offering to advocate for her with the education welfare officer and make it clear to them that she is often too ill to bring child, has done her best to make "casual" arrangements, but the "system" needs to offer help, is the best we can achieve?

McKneff

Just another thought, as it is a balance problem,
Would it help if the parent bought a push chair and just relied on using that to help with the balance problem
so she can at least walk her child to school.

clark24

I was offered a thing called 'self directed support' which would have given me a budget to pay someone to do the school run for me (my son is 5, I can't walk and we live in the woods about half a mile from nearest pavement so my wheelchair doesn't help me get there). Anyway my SW would have sorted out a funding plan so I could hire either a taxi service or other such professional transport service so my son can safely and consistently attend school. As it turns out my husband is now going to work from home so he can continue doing it but it may benefit your friend if she can ask her local SS about her getting it.

pmlindyloo

I would second talking to social services:

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Disability/Pages/help-for-disabled-parents.aspx

It is difficult to suggest other things not knowing the extent of her problem.

cattermole

I third it. Social services adults have the responsibility to help someone in their parenting role who has an illness or disability. It is not Educations responsibility.

Self directed support is the latest catch phrase but in a nutshell they are giving a direct payment so you can purchase what is needed to help you in your parenting role.

However they will probably try and fob them off as times are hard. So seeking help from a Councillor if they dont get anywhere may be needed.