School Taxi Problem

[Shonk]

Hi Im looking for a bit of advice on my son's school taxi

 

He was statmented around 2 years ago

 

And got transferred to a primary school with an asd base

He did very well there and came along well

 

They provided a taxi to and from school

With someone to supervise him on the way

 

He started high school in September

And the contract for the taxi has been changed

 

I had a letter about a week before Christmas saying

That the new taxi would be with 5 other children

 

I phoned the transport department up

And gave them my details and was told they would get back to me

Which they didn't (and I forgot all about it)

 

Anyway I had a knock at the door last night

And it was the taxi driver

 

They want to pick him up 30 mins earlier each day

And drop him off up to 30 mins later

There will be 6 children in the taxi

 

I suspect mainly children in care and that sort of thing

 

My son doesn't integrate well with other children and this will cause

Him no end of problems and stress

 

And will affect his behaviour no end

 

He also has sleeping problems so the extra hour a day will just make matters worse

 

This will also cause problems in school

As having to deal with these 5 children every day

Will mean that he will never get on with them in school

And he in all likely hood would get on with them just fine

If he didn't have to be around them every day to and from school

 

 

I have asd myself and am getting quite stressed out just thinking about what to say

And how to deal with the matter

 

And don?t want to just end up loosing my temper dealing with them

But also want to put my point across in an adequate manner

 

Does anyone know if I can do anything about this

Edited January 5, 2009 by Shonk

[JsMum]

 

 

Had similair problems myself in the past with TAXIs and the LEA's Transport to school service.

 

You have described wonderfully all the difficulties your son has and how it will cause considerable anxiety and stress for him, I would write all this down in an official letter to your councils transport services manager and see if they can rectify this for your son so he can travel to school safely.

 

If they disagree write an official complaint to the complaints department of the council.

 

I completely understand your worries.

 

JsMum

 

[Kazzen161]

Is this a minibus? Is there still an escort? Is there potential for him to sit on his own with his ipod in and not interact?

 

How long will the journey (one-way) now be?

 

>>My son doesn't integrate well with other children and this will cause

Him no end of problems and stress

And will affect his behaviour no end

He also has sleeping problems so the extra hour a day will just make matters worse

This will also cause problems in school

As having to deal with these 5 children every day

Will mean that he will never get on with them in school

And he in all likely hood would get on with them just fine

If he didn't have to be around them every day to and from school>>

 

Can you prove any of these predictions before he has tried it?

 

The LA have a duty to use resources efficiently - paying for 6 taxis is not a good use of resources. However, if you can prove that it really will be detrimental to your child, you may be able to argue the case. Excessive journey time is easier to argue against - but this can mean more than one hour, one-way.

 

>>I suspect mainly children in care and that sort of thing>>

 

I don't think this is relevant.

 

You could e-mail the transport officer stating your concerns. If it does cause problems at school, the SENCO can back you up.

 

[Moll]

You need to ask what type of Taxi it is is it a proper 7 or 8 seater or is it a cab with drop down seats if the latter then you can ask about seat belts and such, you also need to ensure there will still be a escort as if you son need support in school and has had it in the taxi in the past how do they feel this has changed.

 

What does the current provision agreement say and how was a single taxi justified in the past.

 

What are the pickup points is it all in one direction or does it include passing the school and doubling back, both sides of town?

 

Ask for a risk assessment if there is no escort, children messing on in the back of a car can cause a distraction for the driver, how would he cope if doors windows were opened etc? Is the ebd problems with any of these children? is the possibility of violence and assault in the cab a issue? A risk assessment should flag all these issues.

 

Once you have the risk assessment then you can argue based on the strength of it or leave it for now and then once the new system is in place you can keep a eye on things and have a incident log, fighting with evidence is easier than using what ifs.

[Annea]

I too had taxi issues when my daughter was in main stream.

I was told that I should ask for a risk assessment which I did, I also supplied a letterf rom the paediatrician to say how the journey which would have been extended and with other children would cause her much undue stress and anxiety.

 

Since the risk assessment was done by the transport manager who had no medical qualifications, he had no recourse but to abide by what the paediatrician said...

 

So have you got someone who can speak up for you about the affect the new arrangemnt will have on your son? By experience, I have learned that once you have tried a situation, even for a trial, it is very very difficult to get them back down as they will use every which method 'to prove' that a child is fine...

 

I had a very supportive taxi driver who was on my side too....

 

I know the above poster said you shouldn't fight using what if's and indeed it is more difficult, BUT my argument against this when discussing Taxi transport.. was....

 

How many of us would put our children into a situation where there was a high chance that something could cause harm, or psychological damage? We all know our individual children better than anyone else.... so if you really believe that there would be a problem including psychological harm, then we have the right to say "NO -I will not jsut wait and see if he/ she ges harmed, I don't want to chance it!

 

Use the medical/ pyschology reports you have to back up your case, we don't always have to wait and see, somethings are disasters waiting to happen and without a doubt many LEA's will gamble with our children's welfare on the off chance that they will save a few pounds....

 

What I would say to you is look closely at your argument.... saying that children in care might cause trouble, just because they are that sort of child, is an unlightened way to think, after all there but for the grace and all ... any of our children could be in that situation.... Also don't presume that your child will have issues with certain children based on the fact that he might have stressful journey times.... the lEA could argue this could actually bond the children....

 

Take a look at your real fears....

 

For instance my daughter had huge anxiety levels and when she could no longer cope, she would run... the time between school and home.... was an incredibly important time of her day, when she was alone in the car and had a half hour where she could wind donw and process her day un interrupted.... if this time was disturbed for instance if the taxi driver started chatting to her, she became very distressed.. so our fears were based purely on her needs and her reactions when things went wrong.... Be careful how you argue a case, because sometimes we don't put the right points accross even though our fears are founded and we can end up being shot down purely because we have used the wrong argument....

 

Good look and if you still have prpblesm try one of the many organisations or an educational advocate to help you fight your sons case.

 

Anne

 

The person that helped us survive the education system

 

http://www.educationadvocacy.co.uk/

Edited January 7, 2009 by Annea