###### taxi and transports "again"

[Cariad]

I posted before about my son needing an escort in the car when he travels to school, well he travels with another boy and there have been a few episodes with ASD behaviour, boy B got out of the car and walked off while taxi driver had to go after him leaving my son with another pupil also with special needs in the back of the car! Still the driver says "he doesn't need an escort he can be both"

 

So after countless phone calls with my SW and Transport, boy B's mum gets onto it with her SW, in the meantime boy B hits the driver and in the past has tried to push someone out of a moving car! So still no escort and Mr Taxi driver saying he likes it that way and it's calmer, he has since got a minibus and wants to transport lots of SN kids to other schools (A recipe for disaster).

 

The DH now has had enough, he emailed Transport and forwarded the emails to Pupil support and other people, the response was immediate. Apparently transport thought there was an escort in the car and haven't been told otherwise and have been paying them the money for the escort.

 

Last night the Taxi driver rang my DH and told him the escorts money was used to cover costs, and that he would lose the route and he boys wouldn't have him anymore, he then wanted me to ring him, I got in late and didn't. I'm sick to death of this!! Why should we say the boys are ok without an escort when they clearly aren't and it's an accident waiting to happen?

 

WWYD? He's due to drop my son off soon and I know I'll get an ear bashing from him and he's a ###### TAXI DRIVER!! *breathe*

[Deedee]

Cariad unless you'd be really upset to lose him I wouldn't worry what he says..

I'd just plead ignorance and say it's nothing to do with you and its out of your hands as its being dealt with by school etc.I don't blame you for being worried I would be if it was my boy <'>

[Cariad]

Cariad unless you'd be really upset to lose him I wouldn't worry what he says..

I'd just plead ignorance and say it's nothing to do with you and its out of your hands as its being dealt with by school etc.I don't blame you for being worried I would be if it was my boy <'>

 

 

Thanks Deedee, he really is a smooth talker and tries to get out of everything and his boss is the worst, he forgot to pick up my son once even though the two boys travel together, I think he was trying to be clever as I was angry as they had taken the escort away.

[Bagpuss]

What the heck has it got to do with the taxi driver?

 

Surely he is not qualified to "escort" SN children, only to drive the taxi, and therefore is in no position to be deciding whether he should or should not use an escort.

 

I'd give him short shrift, and I'd also be blooming furious that the money for the escort has not been used appropriately.

 

I'd also check if some form of health and safety issues have been breached, if the transport dept have deemed an escort necessary and have provided funds for one, and none has been supplied or paid for by the taxi firm.

 

I also thought the transport dept recruited escorts, not the taxi firm themselves, so that is something else to investigate.

 

Also, who is ultimately willing to accept responsibility for all the dangerous incidents happening during these unescorted journeys?

Edited February 19, 2008 by Bagpuss

[Cariad]

What the heck has it got to do with the taxi driver?

 

Surely he is not qualified to "escort" SN children, only to drive the taxi, and therefore is in no position to be deciding whether he should or should not use an escort.

 

I'd give him short shrift, and I'd also be blooming furious that the money for the escort has not been used appropriately.

 

I'd also check if some form of health and safety issues have been breached, if the transport dept have deemed an escort necessary and have provided funds for one, and none has been supplied or paid for by the taxi firm.

 

I also thought the transport dept recruited escorts, not the taxi firm themselves, so that is something else to investigate.

 

Also, who is ultimately willing to accept responsibility for all the dangerous incidents happening during these unescorted journeys?

 

Exactly Bagpuss, when he dropped off the DS he said that he couldn't do the run anymore and getting an escort would make him go 400 miles out of his way (what?). He piled on a guilt trip on me and said he has a mini bus now and wanted to put a lot of children on the bus to make it pay and THEN get an escort!! I'm not falling for it and it'll have to be someone else then taking them to school WITH an escort!

[justamum]

oh dear you mean his little scam has be rumbled? Tut, tut!

[Kazzen161]

My LEA say if an escort is deemed necessary, the child must not be transported if the escort is not available (unless the parent can act as the escort).

[Bagpuss]

Exactly Bagpuss, when he dropped off the DS he said that he couldn't do the run anymore and getting an escort would make him go 400 miles out of his way (what?). He piled on a guilt trip on me and said he has a mini bus now and wanted to put a lot of children on the bus to make it pay and THEN get an escort!! I'm not falling for it and it'll have to be someone else then taking them to school WITH an escort!

 

 

Well I'd advise him to change careers, and begin transporting cattle then, cheeky b*ggar!

[Pippin]

I'd be demanding that the LEA recoup the money they gave him for an escort as well as removing his contract. He has commited fraud, and has also endangered his charges.

[Cariad]

His bus turned up this morning WITH an escort, I'm in shock, talk about a change of mind

 

1-0 to me

[hev]

[cmuir]

That's shocking. Taxi driver claiming money for an escort which isn't there and is also using emotional blackmail now as well. He should be thoroughly ashamed. There is a clear safety issue to all of the kids travelling under his care (or lack of). It's irresponsible of him, not to mention dangerous.

 

Caroline.

[Cariad]

That's shocking. Taxi driver claiming money for an escort which isn't there and is also using emotional blackmail now as well. He should be thoroughly ashamed. There is a clear safety issue to all of the kids travelling under his care (or lack of). It's irresponsible of him, not to mention dangerous.

 

Caroline.

 

I agree Caroline, today he turned up with no escort and the DS ran up to the bus and put himself in there right by the main road as the driver was too busy saying why he can't pick him up after school club, this was arranged last night with his company. I feel like screaming, another phone call to transport I guess

[puffin]

Exactly Bagpuss, when he dropped off the DS he said that he couldn't do the run anymore and getting an escort would make him go 400 miles out of his way (what?). He piled on a guilt trip on me and said he has a mini bus now and wanted to put a lot of children on the bus to make it pay and THEN get an escort!! I'm not falling for it and it'll have to be someone else then taking them to school WITH an escort!

 

 

Mmmm

 

So basically he is telling you that *you* have bought him a new minibus!

While he fails to provide the service and support that he is being paid to provide - he is using the money that the company is getting for an escort for the children as the downpayment on a new minibus. So he is craming more children onto the minibus to make more profits while the support and safety measures that the children should be getting (escort) is being pocketed.

 

Sounds like fraud!

[JsMum]

I have had a right nightmare with transport that I have taken to taking J again because the farce that the council are in there transport department, J was in the very early days taken unescorted and there was an incedent with the driver, then I was allowed to escort him but the rapour with some of the drivers where very poor, so J eventually got an escort, then she threatened him and I placed in a complaint, I went all the way throw the process but the escort denied it and I have no proof so she still stands but I cant let him travel with someone I dont trust and J wont travel with her now, but they wont give him another escort, I am not allowed to be his escort as the driver wont let me travel with them incase I am too assertive with them.

 

I therefore have no choice but to take him myself and that puts us both in danger at time as trying to get him to school J becomes very aggressive and has placed himself in dangerous situations.

 

I have tried everything to get things changed, but no one can do anything.

 

I want you to be aware that when a child is unescorted the driver is not under any liability if any thing tradgic happened, the responsibility lies actually with the parent because until he is registered in the schools attendance the parents are responisible for the childs well being.

 

I think that drivers taking special needs children unescorted is a real concern especially child protection and child abuse concerns as no one knows the drivers conduct whilst the child is in their care, the driver will have no spersific training in handling the child who absconded and what if something further happened with your child and the other child in the car decided to do a quick exit into the road, the people accountable would of been the parents.

 

I personally think this driver needs a full investigation and his fraudulant behaviour reporting especially to the police and authorities, and a strong letter of complaint to the transport services and local ombudsmun as this driver is breaking laws and there is nothing to stop it if he does this in another area.

 

JsMum

[Cariad]

Mmmm

 

So basically he is telling you that *you* have bought him a new minibus!

While he fails to provide the service and support that he is being paid to provide - he is using the money that the company is getting for an escort for the children as the downpayment on a new minibus. So he is craming more children onto the minibus to make more profits while the support and safety measures that the children should be getting (escort) is being pocketed.

 

Sounds like fraud!

 

When you put it like that it does sound about right! it's funny now as his 16 seater minibus is now an 8 seater as he doesn't have a license to drive a 16 seater . so his plans to cram the bus full of pupils will be a bit flat now won't it *tut*

 

 

I have had a right nightmare with transport that I have taken to taking J again because the farce that the council are in there transport department, J was in the very early days taken unescorted and there was an incedent with the driver, then I was allowed to escort him but the rapour with some of the drivers where very poor, so J eventually got an escort, then she threatened him and I placed in a complaint, I went all the way throw the process but the escort denied it and I have no proof so she still stands but I cant let him travel with someone I dont trust and J wont travel with her now, but they wont give him another escort, I am not allowed to be his escort as the driver wont let me travel with them incase I am too assertive with them.

 

I therefore have no choice but to take him myself and that puts us both in danger at time as trying to get him to school J becomes very aggressive and has placed himself in dangerous situations.

 

I have tried everything to get things changed, but no one can do anything.

 

I want you to be aware that when a child is unescorted the driver is not under any liability if any thing tradgic happened, the responsibility lies actually with the parent because until he is registered in the schools attendance the parents are responisible for the childs well being.

 

I think that drivers taking special needs children unescorted is a real concern especially child protection and child abuse concerns as no one knows the drivers conduct whilst the child is in their care, the driver will have no spersific training in handling the child who absconded and what if something further happened with your child and the other child in the car decided to do a quick exit into the road, the people accountable would of been the parents.

 

I personally think this driver needs a full investigation and his fraudulant behaviour reporting especially to the police and authorities, and a strong letter of complaint to the transport services and local ombudsmun as this driver is breaking laws and there is nothing to stop it if he does this in another area.

 

JsMum

 

I should tell him that next time he has no escort, he can wriggle out of things and tries to sweet talk people, he is very crafty. As he says "he can be an escort AND a driver"

[soraya]

My Nick used to jump out of his unescorted mini bus and the driver just drove off saying " l cannot be late for the other children l have to pick up" I would then get a phone call saying "Just to let you know that Nick has godt off the minibus" l would then have to get the car out and go and find him!!! Consequently l have now withdrawn him from school as l would not put him in danger anymore

[Cariad]

My Nick used to jump out of his unescorted mini bus and the driver just drove off saying " l cannot be late for the other children l have to pick up" I would then get a phone call saying "Just to let you know that Nick has godt off the minibus" l would then have to get the car out and go and find him!!! Consequently l have now withdrawn him from school as l would not put him in danger anymore

 

OMG! thats awful

[Paula]

No special needs child should be taken to and from school without an escort if either the parent or the school think there should be one.............

 

Ive said before that i work as a escort on special buses takieng disabled kids with alsorts of needs to and from schools and theres no way on earth these kids are safe to travel alone with just a driver.............

 

As an escort your the eyes and ears for these kids......beleive me some of the drivers are horendous and wouldnt think twice abut verbally abuseing the kids ,because im there they know ill report them instantly...........

'

Its a load of bull this blokes telling you about him claimeing cash for the escort...............what he'll mean is hes been pretending it takes longer to do the route coz hes to figure in picking up and dropping of an escort soll he charge more for his time...............as an escort youre paide direct by the Lea for hours worked...........hell be trying to put the frighteners on yer ................Sod him.

 

 

As an escort youve to be on the bus,in the taxi before the first child gets on board and you cant get of untill all the children are of the bus ect............you cant even get of the bus to take a child to there door coz it means leaving children un escorted.......owt can happen.Its a realy realy important job one i take very seriously the kids saftey is at risk if you dont...............My son uses school buses to and from his special school and i wouldnt ever ever send him without an escort......ive seen how horrid the drivers are.........some of the escorts leave little to be desired as well.

 

 

As a parent always always voice youre concerns,always put it in writng and always complaine if you aint happy and never ever send youre child unescorted............I regulary report drivers for verbal abuse of these kids coz they think its faire game coz in some cases the kids cant talk...........they aint banking on me doing what many escorts cant be bothered doing coz it means filling out 3 forms and also word gets out and the drivers refuse to work with you..............but i dont care.

[lil_me]

My partner is a driver, just my 2p in aswell.

 

Thankfully most companies are honest, unfortunately some are not, when your childs transport letter comes through which states which company etc you should check with them exactly what the company should be providing. They will be paid for specific items inc an escort if allocated.

 

I do believe all taxis should have escorts but I also believe after my partners run ins with several escorts (inc one he ended up asking to get out of the car for yelling at a child) that they both should have more training. Drivers and escorts. My partner has come across many ignorant drivers and escorts who would both benefit from it. My sons previous escort we called the 'mutton' because she was in her late 40s yet dressed in rara skirts, low cut tops and stiletoe shoes, she was collared by her employer (driver) for being 'out of order with that bairn' as he put it. My son was the last drop off and he had a go at her outside my house but my window was slightly open. My son told me she'd called one of the children a 'pathetic ###### idiot' because he didn't have his belt on properly. Thankfully she didn' it last long. The last driver was useless, he kept sleeping in and DS hates being late so I ended up having to take him. Escort on that one however seemed very nice.

 

My sons current taxi firm so far is doing well, she has turned up once without the escort, I expressed my concern about this, there is only 2 of them who are in his taxi both have never been any bother and get on very well (my son likes being with just one girl bless him) but anything could happen so I still made her aware that I wasn't happy. There had supposedly been an emergency that morning and the escort had to take her Mam to hospital but I was unhappy that they didn't have an alternative to call upon in this situation. She knows I will make an official complaint if this happens again.

 

My partner isn't currently doing school runs because he now only works nights but as far as I am aware in our area the LEA pays the company a specific amount agreed for the service including whatever is agreed (escort etc) then the escort is paid directly by the company, not the LEA.

 

If a child is the only one in the taxi they can offer to escort the child with agreement of the firm and LEA but not when other children are in the car as escorts should be CRB checked the same as the taxi drivers are.

Edited February 28, 2008 by lil_me

[pookie170]

Im so sorry that youve got such a...(I'll be polite!) twit... of a taxi driver, Cariad. Whats happened is unfair and endangers your child! Appalling! What are your legal rights with regards to this?

 

I have to say, my lad's taxi driver is a gem, he has endured a couple of attcks from my son and has basically said that while he's bound to report these incidents, he does understand Cal's difficulties and such. We are lucky that there is an escort, as C sometimes gets annoyed by other kids in taxi-well, kid, actually- and there was a recent incident of C lashing out at this child. The driver dealt with it well and has never once complained about these incidents- he has only ever kept me informed. Not that Cal is let off with it!!

I hope this situation changes for the better, Cariad....I really would be thinking about looking into the legal side of things, if you haven't already.

Take care,

Esther x

[Cariad]

Just to add the taxi driver takes a boy to the same school to board on a monday and home on a friday with the boys. I was getting very worried after 1 hour 25 mins as it took the two boys that long to take a 20 minute journey to my house from the school(A was staying for tea with us). I found out later that the boarding boy was taken home first, but they had to stop countless times as he lashed out at A, and then took his seatbelt off, called the driver names etc etc. There was an escort in the car but what if the driver had had his way?

 

They could have crashed the bus or anything, how the hell can he be the driver and the escort?