Still waiting

[justine1]

I can't believe it its going on 8 weeks and Sam is still not in school I am so stressed. He has been weeing all over the house and its driving me mad.

 

I went to see the only school they have offered and its awful!!! The children don't appear to make much progress and staff seem to change often.I just did not get a good feeling for it at all.Sam came with me and I did'nt say anything about the school, just commented on the positives,but he said "I am definatley not going there!" I saw parents taking younger ones to preschool and was shocked when I saw one mother texting all the way into the school and all the way out again,she never had any interaction with her child.Maybe I sound snobby,but I know the area well and its quite deprived and "scummy" people with little ambition,its not what I want for my son.

 

There is another mainstream about a mile and half down the road,however I dont see it being an different to where he was before his statement and with my studying being in the other direction I have no idea who will take him to and from school,the LEA said they wont provide transport for that

 

Spoke to the SEN lady today and she is still waitin to hear back from the nearest school,where Josh goes,and I have said I am happy for him to go back to year 2 if a place is available. She said there is also one more special school with a place,48min drive away,not to happy about that as I dont drive it makes it hard for sports days,parents evenings etc. Just finding it so very frustrating!!!

 

Sorry to moan

[JsMum]

She said there is also one more special school with a place,48min drive away,not to happy about that as I dont drive it makes it hard for sports days,parents evenings etc. Just finding it so very frustrating!!!

 

It sounds like the best offer upto now though and you may get transport costs for sports days and parents evening, so I would maybe look into this onex

 

JsMum

[bensmum2]

Hi if the lea can't provide a uitable school to meet your sons needs then u can find your own and go to appeal , its a slow process but it cud be worth it in the end and then if you win at appeal they wud have to pay for transport,, open days and parents evenings are only a few tiems a year and most schools would make special arrangemnts if u arent able to attend on the given date,my son is now in a special school about an hour away and transport has to be provided cos they said at the appeal they could only offer him one school locally and the panel agreed it wasnt suitable so the lea had to pay for transport too. The school he goes to now costs the lea over twice what a local mainstream wud even though they are supposed to consider reasonable costs and the transport alone costs £110 a day, they said that "reasonable costs can vary depending on the circumstances " and the circumstances were that the lea had no acceptable place for him and he needed to go to a school with full support and very small classes, that the unusually high costs incurred were reasonable under the circumstances, since he started there i ahve found another parent who lives locally and she takes me to open days and stuff as i dont drive either x

[justine1]

Thank you for the replies <'> I have tried looking myself with no luck I have phoned some schools up to 6 times and nobody calls back or can help in any way.Others say they full or that the LEA has to contact them directly if he wants to see the school.

 

I really think they thought they would offer me just one school and that I would accept so they have been dragging their feet to apply to other schools.The SEN lady sounded surprised when I said I didnt want Sam going there.

 

With regards to transport,I am a little confused.There is a mainstream that can take Sam he will have full time 1:1 as per his statement,and this may be the last resort.It is the one that is a mile and 1/2 down the road,I could walk it but not everyday and I am on placements which can start 7am,my dad comes to sit with them but he has chest probs so cant even walk up the stairs let alone over a mile!!So can they really refuse transport if I want him to go there??? She said its not catchment but neither is the one I went to see last friday,yet he was going to provide transport for that

[Sally44]

Have you looked on the IPSEA website. This is a link to what they say about home/school transport.

 

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/Apps/Content/HTML/?id=115#leaLaw

 

There is a distance that children under or over 8 are expected to be able to walk. The exclusions to that where, by law, an LEA would be required to provide transport are under the "eligibility" section. This states that children with SEN are eligible for home/school transport.

 

So, I would speak to the person at the LEA again (if you need to to refresh what they say). Then follow that up with a letter in which you quote what they have told you and ask them to confirm that that is their transport policy for children with SEN. Then see what they say. Sometimes they may still simply refuse, as they did with me. I appealed to tribunal and about a week before the tribunal they conceded and provided transport - I still went to appeal over other things and the LEA capitulated about every single item at appeal.

 

But in the meantime you may have to provide transport yourself. If your dad cannot do it, then what other arrangements could you make? I had to take my son to the nursery for breakfast for about 11 weeks when I was on a placement and the nursery used to take the children into school. That was hard! And i'm not sure how you stand regarding what support or provision your child may need at a nursery prior to school? If he needs 1:1 at school then he is going to need adult support during nursery as well. Again speak to someone like IPSEA or the NAS about this.

[justine1]

I am still waiting I spoke to the SEN officer today,I am going to see another special school(24miles away) next wednesday.She said she is not sure if they can manage the behaviour side of things only the ASD side So I dont even know why I am going to spend £100 cab fare going to see it!!

 

I really wanted something closer to home I still have one mainstream which is very happy to take him,they dont know if they will cope but are very willing to try,which is good.I quoted the IPSEA website (thanks Sally )with regards to transport.She has said she cannot do anything until I have seen the special school on wednesday,surely its better to cover all options now rather than wait another week

 

 

Its been nearly 10 weeks!! Because I am not here with him and I have essays to complete myself I cannot make sure he is getting some form of education,why should it be solely down to me anyway,surely he has the same rights as everyone else!!

[Sally44]

Is there no other way of getting there? Maybe by train and then taxi from the station???

 

As a parent you do have the right to seek a mainstream placement and the school would then say if they felt they could meet his needs (and that would include what the Statement contained).

 

Have you ever got through to IPSEA on their helpline? It might be worth seeing if they could go through the existing Statement with you to tell you if the provision in it is legally binding on the school/LEA. If it isn't that might be something you could negotiate with the LEA ie. you definately want the mainstream placement but the Statement must be amended to read XXX "will" receive or "must" have. In that way he should get everything he needs in mainstream. Whether he would cope in that environment is another matter. You may need all time access to a quiet area incase part of or even whole pieces of his learning takes place outside of the mainstream classroom if he cannot cope with that environment. But you do have the right to ask for mainstream, and in theory the Statement (if it contains every need and provision is quantified and specified) should be fulfilled in any placement.

 

You could also meet with the Head and go through the Statement item by item to see what the school could provide and for you to inform her what your son would need and to get her "interpretation" of what the Statement actually provides.

 

I would have thought the LEA would automatically want him in mainstream because it is cheaper.

 

When the LEA name the school, that is a change in the Statement. That change enables you to go to appeal on part 4 (the placement), and also on parts 2 and 3. However you will need written evidence and professionals backing you up to get changes to sections 2 and 3. I'm sure money is tight, but if absolutely necessary you could consider independent reports to get the Statement well written so that he would get the support and input he needed in mainstream. But that would be costly. So check now on what the Statement actually provides.

[justine1]

Is there no other way of getting there? Maybe by train and then taxi from the station???

 

As a parent you do have the right to seek a mainstream placement and the school would then say if they felt they could meet his needs (and that would include what the Statement contained).

 

Have you ever got through to IPSEA on their helpline? It might be worth seeing if they could go through the existing Statement with you to tell you if the provision in it is legally binding on the school/LEA. If it isn't that might be something you could negotiate with the LEA ie. you definately want the mainstream placement but the Statement must be amended to read XXX "will" receive or "must" have. In that way he should get everything he needs in mainstream. Whether he would cope in that environment is another matter. You may need all time access to a quiet area incase part of or even whole pieces of his learning takes place outside of the mainstream classroom if he cannot cope with that environment. But you do have the right to ask for mainstream, and in theory the Statement (if it contains every need and provision is quantified and specified) should be fulfilled in any placement.

 

You could also meet with the Head and go through the Statement item by item to see what the school could provide and for you to inform her what your son would need and to get her "interpretation" of what the Statement actually provides.

 

I would have thought the LEA would automatically want him in mainstream because it is cheaper.

 

When the LEA name the school, that is a change in the Statement. That change enables you to go to appeal on part 4 (the placement), and also on parts 2 and 3. However you will need written evidence and professionals backing you up to get changes to sections 2 and 3. I'm sure money is tight, but if absolutely necessary you could consider independent reports to get the Statement well written so that he would get the support and input he needed in mainstream. But that would be costly. So check now on what the Statement actually provides.

[/quote

Thanks Sally <'> I have the email from the SEN officer to say if he goes to the mainstream he will get full time 1:1 6.5 hrs a day,she has also said they will be sending in an ed psych and autism outreach in the first 3mths of him starting(by then his statement would be up for review anyway)so she said then if they still felt they couldnt cope we would look at alternatives.

 

Again I am happy with everything just the transport,I will go and see the special school first before I rush into things.There are buses but I would have to take three plus a cab from the station,however it makes the 45min journey a 2 hour journey (so total 4 hours just travelling) I will be going to shifts on either side so will be exhausted!

[justine1]

Hi everyone

 

10 weeks and counting!!!! I went to see the special school,a good hours drive from our home,apparently its BESD school,the SEN people said it may not be suitable but were insisting I go and see for myself.Anyway the school itself was lovely and the headteacher was brilliant and very honest.He said there is no way their school is suitable for Sam,he also said if the SEN people had taken time to read the notes they would have known that and I wouldnt have wasted my time.I told him all what has happened and he was gobsmacked,I said I would have thought they give me a list but they never did.He said as far as he knows its a legal requirement for SEN to give a list of schools for parents to chose from.He then named six ASD provisions and said I should insist on seeing the schools.

 

I have already found two that have space(even though I was told ALL schools are full) and going to see them next week.Plus they are much closer than the school suggested!! I had contacted PP but they have a staff shortage and may only call back in three days!

[JsMum]

Firstly you should be getting your travel expenses paid too by visiting all these schools, So I would request a travel expenses form from your local educational authority.

 

You should be recieving finacial support while you search for a school that is for sure.

 

I did when I had to search for a respite provision for J.

 

Also you should be getting transport if it is the NEAREST school that meets your sons needs.

 

I agree with BESD school issues, J was in one for 2yrs though they advertised they also met the needs of boys with ASD needs there behavioural techneques didnt work for J and he was with other boys with far more disruptive behaviours and he learnt a lot and was not in an enviroment that he could learn in because of the distractions from other disruptive boys, also Js behaviour deteriated with thier santions so it could be that a very specific ASD provision may reduce the likelyhood of your sons behaviour becoming the main focus over time.

 

I am still battling to get my son into another more specialist school but the LEA are insistant that his present BESD school that also caters for ASD is meeting Js Needs.

 

We are now in a battle over a new provision which could take it to september when J is then in yr 10, for ever closer to starting his GCSESs. At least from next week he starts his home tuition so could your son not be accessing home tuition in the meantime, he surely should be recieving an alternative education while a new provision is found.

 

Yes the Headteacher from the school is correct too you are given a list of ALL special schools in your area and outer county, you could if you wanted and it meet his needs and your son needed the provision could access independant, private, boarding, day specialist school if you wanted to. (obvously you would have to fight for it) Id start looking for the most expensive independant private, boarding school you can find and tell LEA you want that one, they might then negociate more than they are at the moment, Js placement is in the Hundreds of thousands of pounds a year and he recieves full time one to one at the special school plus transport which is over four hours and has a escort too, it can get very expensive for them if you went down this road, so I would start with very high expectations and see if they back down to more realistic cheaper options.

 

My other concern is that if you go for the mainstream school though that wants to help your son, and doesnt work out, that means another school change.

 

It is looking very likely that your son requires a specialised ASD provision with transport and escort, Id look for that and concentrate on your sams Long term needs and goals.

 

JsMumxxx

Edited February 2, 2011 by JsMum

[justine1]

Firstly you should be getting your travel expenses paid too by visiting all these schools, So I would request a travel expenses form from your local educational authority.

 

You should be recieving finacial support while you search for a school that is for sure.

 

I did when I had to search for a respite provision for J.

 

Also you should be getting transport if it is the NEAREST school that meets your sons needs.

 

I agree with BESD school issues, J was in one for 2yrs though they advertised they also met the needs of boys with ASD needs there behavioural techneques didnt work for J and he was with other boys with far more disruptive behaviours and he learnt a lot and was not in an enviroment that he could learn in because of the distractions from other disruptive boys, also Js behaviour deteriated with thier santions so it could be that a very specific ASD provision may reduce the likelyhood of your sons behaviour becoming the main focus over time.

 

I am still battling to get my son into another more specialist school but the LEA are insistant that his present BESD school that also caters for ASD is meeting Js Needs.

 

We are now in a battle over a new provision which could take it to september when J is then in yr 10, for ever closer to starting his GCSESs. At least from next week he starts his home tuition so could your son not be accessing home tuition in the meantime, he surely should be recieving an alternative education while a new provision is found.

 

Yes the Headteacher from the school is correct too you are given a list of ALL special schools in your area and outer county, you could if you wanted and it meet his needs and your son needed the provision could access independant, private, boarding, day specialist school if you wanted to. (obvously you would have to fight for it) Id start looking for the most expensive independant private, boarding school you can find and tell LEA you want that one, they might then negociate more than they are at the moment, Js placement is in the Hundreds of thousands of pounds a year and he recieves full time one to one at the special school plus transport which is over four hours and has a escort too, it can get very expensive for them if you went down this road, so I would start with very high expectations and see if they back down to more realistic cheaper options.

 

My other concern is that if you go for the mainstream school though that wants to help your son, and doesnt work out, that means another school change.

 

It is looking very likely that your son requires a specialised ASD provision with transport and escort, Id look for that.

 

JsMumxxx

Thank you Js mum <'> I asked numerous times for some work that Sam can do at home but got nothing! I wanted to ask,I have been told that because I "by-passed" the ASD unit offered to me(the nearest one) if I chose another unit he wont get any transport is this right? I amannoyed as I told them he cannot go there,I have in writing from the ed psych and previous school that he has identity issues and the school in question is prodminantly asian,I am not racist my kids are mixed race after all,but I dont see how this will help his confusion.He needs a diverse school.Also the school is so run down in a horrible area,I dont know where I stand on this.

[JsMum]

Thank you Js mum <'> I asked numerous times for some work that Sam can do at home but got nothing! I wanted to ask,I have been told that because I "by-passed" the ASD unit offered to me(the nearest one) if I chose another unit he wont get any transport is this right? I amannoyed as I told them he cannot go there,I have in writing from the ed psych and previous school that he has identity issues and the school in question is prodminantly asian,I am not racist my kids are mixed race after all,but I dont see how this will help his confusion.He needs a diverse school.Also the school is so run down in a horrible area,I dont know where I stand on this.

You have to put it in writing that the ASD unit they have offered does not meet his needs, I would say with your comment of your sons muliculture it does not meet his ethnic culture and therefore does not meet his needs.

 

You are allowed to say why a run down and horrible estate/area is not somewhere your sons needs will be met, you could put it that there maybe high anti social issues, crime, drugs, which will not give your son a positive learning enviroement.

 

You will get transport to the nearest special/unit/school that MEETS YOUR SONS NEEDS.

 

So if you find a school two hundred miles away but it is the NEAREST school to you that MEETS YOUR SONS NEEDS then they have to pay for the transport and escort if your son has issues outdoors, keeping safe, no sence of danger ect. and requires additional adult support.

 

 

You will need to prove why the nearest ASD Unit does not meet your sons needs, that means ALL his needs, not just special needs.

 

 

I got this for you too.

 

http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/sen/faqs/a0013081/specialist-schools-area/

 

I really recommend you contact your Parent partnership and look into childrens advacacey agencies too as these are good as they listen to what the child wants, if Sam would be happy recieving Home tuition then he should be accessing that in the meantime while he is out of Education.

 

Is he registered at any school at the moment? usually they cant deregister until a new school is found so they can deregister the old school then add in the new school/unit in part 4 of a statement.

 

if they have deregisterd then that doesnt sound very lawful, and you would need to contact Ipsea because if he is not on a school register then the LEA have no obligation to provide Education, that is left to your responsibility and you must be providing him home education.

 

If he is not registered with a school contact IPSEA, ACE, NAS Straight away.

 

JsMumxxx

[justine1]

You have to put it in writing that the ASD unit they have offered does not meet his needs, I would say with your comment of your sons muliculture it does not meet his ethnic culture and therefore does not meet his needs.

 

You are allowed to say why a run down and horrible estate/area is not somewhere your sons needs will be met, you could put it that there maybe high anti social issues, crime, drugs, which will not give your son a positive learning enviroement.

 

You will get transport to the nearest special/unit/school that MEETS YOUR SONS NEEDS.

 

So if you find a school two hundred miles away but it is the NEAREST school to you that MEETS YOUR SONS NEEDS then they have to pay for the transport and escort if your son has issues outdoors, keeping safe, no sence of danger ect. and requires additional adult support.

 

 

You will need to prove why the nearest ASD Unit does not meet your sons needs, that means ALL his needs, not just special needs.

 

 

I got this for you too.

 

http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/sen/faqs/a0013081/specialist-schools-area/

 

I really recommend you contact your Parent partnership and look into childrens advacacey agencies too as these are good as they listen to what the child wants, if Sam would be happy recieving Home tuition then he should be accessing that in the meantime while he is out of Education.

 

Is he registered at any school at the moment? usually they cant deregister until a new school is found so they can deregister the old school then add in the new school/unit in part 4 of a statement.

 

if they have deregisterd then that doesnt sound very lawful, and you would need to contact Ipsea because if he is not on a school register then the LEA have no obligation to provide Education, that is left to your responsibility and you must be providing him home education.

 

If he is not registered with a school contact IPSEA, ACE, NAS Straight away.

 

JsMumxxx

His previous school is an hour away in the opposite direction,different county.I think they thought I would accept the first school they offered and would not have to provide transport for him to attend his previous school.

 

The SEN officer has said to me that its not their fault he has been out of school this long as he has been offered a mainstream place(which they refused to provide transport to)and ASD unit (which I dont like.)

 

I contact PP but went to answerphone,lack of staff,and may only get back to me in three days.

 

Thank you x

[JsMum]

His previous school is an hour away in the opposite direction,different county.I think they thought I would accept the first school they offered and would not have to provide transport for him to attend his previous school.

 

The SEN officer has said to me that its not their fault he has been out of school this long as he has been offered a mainstream place(which they refused to provide transport to)and ASD unit (which I dont like.)

 

I contact PP but went to answerphone,lack of staff,and may only get back to me in three days.

 

Thank you x

 

So is he registered at a school at present?

 

If his school where you moved away from was the nearest school that met his needs then they should of supplied transport.

 

Also the ASD unit that you dont like (doesnt meet his needs) have not recieved his details and they may not actually be able to meet his needs, and it is not on part 4 of statement so at present his named school will be the one you moved away from.

 

Therefore that school is the one the at present meets his needs, so therefore they should of provided transport until part 4 stated the new ASD Unit that you dont like (doesnt meet his needs) and then you could of appealed.

 

I really recommend you ring NAS educational helpline, and keep trying parent partnership in the meantime.

 

JsMumx

What school/unit does your sons present statement state right nowx

[justine1]

So is he registered at a school at present?

 

If his school where you moved away from was the nearest school that met his needs then they should of supplied transport.

 

Also the ASD unit that you dont like (doesnt meet his needs) have not recieved his details and they may not actually be able to meet his needs, and it is not on part 4 of statement so at present his named school will be the one you moved away from.

 

Therefore that school is the one the at present meets his needs, so therefore they should of provided transport until part 4 stated the new ASD Unit that you dont like (doesnt meet his needs) and then you could of appealed.

 

I really recommend you ring NAS educational helpline, and keep trying parent partnership in the meantime.

 

JsMumx

What school/unit does your sons present statement state right nowx

The statement names the school he was at,the old LEA passed his statement to the new LEA just before we moved.Nothing was said to me other than that he would be tranferred over to a new school.I had to send proof of address on the 19th november same time I moved.I then contacted the new LEA on the 3/12,9/12 and 15/12,I was passed on to three different people,only on the 15th I was told that we can see the unit I told them I know the school and dont like it is there an alternative,they said no.

 

I then saw the school on 14 Jan and told them the same day I wasnt happy.I was also offered the mainstream school,but its not our nearest school(our nearest is full) so they refused transport.I spoke to them again on 14/01 and 21/01 when they said I should see the BESD school.So in all that time nobody said he should continue where he was or suggest any other form of education.

 

Thanks again,just so worn out by this all

[JsMum]

The statement names the school he was at,the old LEA passed his statement to the new LEA just before we moved.Nothing was said to me other than that he would be tranferred over to a new school.I had to send proof of address on the 19th november same time I moved.I then contacted the new LEA on the 3/12,9/12 and 15/12,I was passed on to three different people,only on the 15th I was told that we can see the unit I told them I know the school and dont like it is there an alternative,they said no.

 

I then saw the school on 14 Jan and told them the same day I wasnt happy.I was also offered the mainstream school,but its not our nearest school(our nearest is full) so they refused transport.I spoke to them again on 14/01 and 21/01 when they said I should see the BESD school.So in all that time nobody said he should continue where he was or suggest any other form of education.

 

Thanks again,just so worn out by this all

 

Right from what I understand it is your new LEA who are responsible for the transport to the present school that is on his statement until part 4 states the new arrangements and if named school in part 4 are placed there and you are not happy you can appeal.

 

I would insist that they provide transport for his school/unit that is stated on his statement at present.

 

They are legally binded to provide the transport to his school as that is what is named on his statement.

 

I know your tired out but dont let them beat you down, contact NAS Educational helpline, but Im positive until part 4 states the new school the new LEA are obliged to ensure he accesses the unit that is stipulated in part 4 NOW.

 

How are the absences been recorded? I would ensure that your local Educational welfare know of his situation so you are not accused of keeping your son off school unauthorised.

 

Its a complete mix up Im sure but your lad should of been accessing what is stipulated in his statement.

 

Jsmumx

[justine1]

Right from what I understand it is your new LEA who are responsible for the transport to the present school that is on his statement until part 4 states the new arrangements and if named school in part 4 are placed there and you are not happy you can appeal.

 

I would insist that they provide transport for his school/unit that is stated on his statement at present.

 

They are legally binded to provide the transport to his school as that is what is named on his statement.

 

I know your tired out but dont let them beat you down, contact NAS Educational helpline, but Im positive until part 4 states the new school the new LEA are obliged to ensure he accesses the unit that is stipulated in part 4 NOW.

 

How are the absences been recorded? I would ensure that your local Educational welfare know of his situation so you are not accused of keeping your son off school unauthorised.

 

Its a complete mix up Im sure but your lad should of been accessing what is stipulated in his statement.

 

Jsmumx

To be honest I dont think that would be fair on Sam.He said goodbye to everyone,they had a farewell party gave him a goodbye book with letters from all the kids etc.

 

As I say,the new LEA and old LEA,as well as myself,assumed it would be a maximum of 4-5 weeks not this long! I cant see him going back to his previous school and then changing again in a week or so.As much as I do want him in school it has to be the right school so he can stay until year 6,the previous school only went to yr 4 so he would have had to change next year anyway!

[JsMum]

To be honest I dont think that would be fair on Sam.He said goodbye to everyone,they had a farewell party gave him a goodbye book with letters from all the kids etc.

 

As I say,the new LEA and old LEA,as well as myself,assumed it would be a maximum of 4-5 weeks not this long! I cant see him going back to his previous school and then changing again in a week or so.As much as I do want him in school it has to be the right school so he can stay until year 6,the previous school only went to yr 4 so he would have had to change next year anyway!

 

 

Hi I have done a bit of reading and I think your recent reply here is more accurate, if he has definately left then he obvously wont be returning, I think what may of happended is that the new LEA may be thinking you have a pereference of a school rather than the ones you have already seen and they have offered you feel do not meet his needs.

 

I would of thought in the meantime though they would of offered home tuition at least.

 

I would concentrate on a school you feel will meet his needs and focus on this school been the nearest to your home.

 

That way they would have to provide transport.

 

I think with J been in a residential school its a little different if moving LEA areas.

 

Anyway there is this link here about SEN statement, look on page 33. there is information on there about moving LEA areas.

 

Remember any thing they do that you are not happy about you can appeal.

 

http://acg-kids.com/Documents/Parents%20Guide%20sen.pdf

 

JsMumx

[justine1]

Thanks again <'>

 

I had seen a post on here ages ago whereby the person had managed to find out the cost of travel between two schools(the one the LEA suggested and the one they wanted) I wondered if anyone knew how I could go about getting this info?

 

I found this info on google maps:

 

The school LEA are suggesting: 2 miles and 9 minutes from home,fuel cost£0.44

The school I may want : 7.5 miles and 18 minutes from home,fuel cost £1.36

 

So based on that if push comes to shove could I not pay the difference (92p) obviousley thats not how the calculate it and ideally would like for them to pay all but just wondered if others have more experience of this.The other point was they were going to fund travel for him to attend the BESD school even though its not suitable and its over 26miles 1 hour journey(each way!!)Does not make sense at all!!

 

I have another point about the school I prefer,it has a secondary school down the road which also has an ASD unit,whereas the nearest one does not have one,so I would be inclined to ask what happens after year 6.

[Sally44]

You could try to find this out two ways.

One would be to get in touch with the SEN transport section at your LA and ask them how transport is calculated for children taken to/from school by taxi. Don't tell her about the different schools and the different distances. Just ask the general questions and see what she answers eg. "how is transport calculated", "what is there is a difference in mileage, does that cost the LA more?".

You could argue that if the school of your choice already taxi's children in from your area and they have a seat free, then your son is not going to cost them any extra at all (obviously they'll counter argue that).

 

The other way is to get in touch with the school of your choice and ask them for the name of the taxi firm that transports the SEN children, and ask them how they are paid. Is it mileage or bands of mileage, time eg. first 30 mins, number of children in the taxi etc.

[justine1]

You could try to find this out two ways.

One would be to get in touch with the SEN transport section at your LA and ask them how transport is calculated for children taken to/from school by taxi. Don't tell her about the different schools and the different distances. Just ask the general questions and see what she answers eg. "how is transport calculated", "what is there is a difference in mileage, does that cost the LA more?".

You could argue that if the school of your choice already taxi's children in from your area and they have a seat free, then your son is not going to cost them any extra at all (obviously they'll counter argue that).

 

The other way is to get in touch with the school of your choice and ask them for the name of the taxi firm that transports the SEN children, and ask them how they are paid. Is it mileage or bands of mileage, time eg. first 30 mins, number of children in the taxi etc.

Perfect Sally Thank you very much <'> I was going to ask the school anyway,I will visit on Monday and let them know that the SEN officer has said I am likely to have issue with home/school transport.I can see what she says and she may think there is no need to worry or be able to point me in the right direction.