Mother in Need Report post Posted January 18, 2006 I had great trouble getting my son into the taxi this morning, and only managed because my eldest (who is over 6 foot tall) manhandled him into it. During his struggles and attempts to get out of the taxi, he was very aggressive and violent and hit his escort. The driver then said that it was too dangerous to take him. I ignored what she said and carried on struggling with him, and in the end they did take him and he went to school (though I have just been asked to come and pick him up...). Anyway, my question is, can the taxi really refuse to take him? I mean, I understand perfectly from their point of view that there is an element of danger, and I do not deny that; we have to deal with that on a daily basis. BUT isn't that why he has a taxi and an escort in the first place, because of his problems? Aren't they trained to deal with this? Can they refuse to take him, and if so, where do I stand? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mossgrove Report post Posted January 18, 2006 I had great trouble getting my son into the taxi this morning, and only managed because my eldest (who is over 6 foot tall) manhandled him into it. During his struggles and attempts to get out of the taxi, he was very aggressive and violent and hit his escort. The driver then said that it was too dangerous to take him. I ignored what she said and carried on struggling with him, and in the end they did take him and he went to school (though I have just been asked to come and pick him up...). Anyway, my question is, can the taxi really refuse to take him? I mean, I understand perfectly from their point of view that there is an element of danger, and I do not deny that; we have to deal with that on a daily basis. BUT isn't that why he has a taxi and an escort in the first place, because of his problems? Aren't they trained to deal with this? Can they refuse to take him, and if so, where do I stand? We had terrible problems getting H into the Taxi when he started at Special school. Sadly, escorts and Taxi Drivers are relatively unlikely to have had any special training. One of the factors that made it difficult inititally was that the escort didn't seem to have any strategies other than telling him to pull himself together and get in the Taxi (You can imagine how succesful that was!). H did lash out on occasions but he is too small to do any real damage We struck lucky when the school relaised that one of the LSA's who works at the school lives close by, She now acts as their escort and is brilliant, possibly because she has an Autistic son and understands. She brings a bog bag of toys and goodies with her and tells out two boys funny stories and jokes on the way, and they both now view the journey as a highlight if the day. Manhandling is not a long term answer, but if everyone can be a little bit creative in thinking of ways to give him a reason to get in that may help, e.g let him play a gameboy/use a walkman/discuss his special interest/watch a DVD/read a book or whatever he enjoys. It is also imortant that the escort/taxi driver combination stays the same as changes can cause massive problems. If you can determine whether the problem is taxi or school it will help too. Best of luck! Simon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oracle Report post Posted January 18, 2006 My Uncle is an escort in our Authority he does his for my Cousin who has a contact with the Council. Neither have had any training, I have asked them about this. Most of our escorts are like my Uncle who is elderly and although he has the correct quite manner I have voiced my concerns about lack of training? Escorts in our Authority do not get paid very much at all and certainly not enough to be attacked by the children they are escorting. As usual not thought at all about the importance of providing escort who do know how to act and react. Carole Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Report post Posted January 18, 2006 The escort for my taxi service is just the taxi driver's wife. Apparently this is quite common round here. They don't get any training. Luckily she is very nice & does have children herself (tho not ASD) and does seem to cope well. However, there's only my son and one other boy in the taxi and they are both only 4 so not physically strong enough to cause any real bother. The lack of training meant tho that we didn't get a photo or anything of the driver & escort before the service started. In fact, it's only because I rang up & got their names and gave them a password that the private nursery let them take The Boy on the first day (the taxi firm hadn't prepared at all and thought they could just merrily turn up at the private nursery & take him with no identification ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mother in Need Report post Posted January 18, 2006 Escorts in our Authority do not get paid very much at all and certainly not enough to be attacked by the children they are escorting. Put that way, you are absolutely right. However, what choice is there when it comes to our kids? Or mine at least... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Report post Posted January 18, 2006 MIN I don't think that Carole perhaps meant it quite as harshly as it reads, I think she is trying to make a point about escorts ideally need training. It's certainly not my view that the children are "attacking" the escort, more unintentionally lashing out, or having a tantrum, or displaying that they are upset in the only way they know how. Who provided the taxi service in the first place? For me it was our LEA. I'd raise this with them if I were you (if the taxi firm are saying they won't pick your son up any more). I wouldn't raise it in a "complaint" kind of way, just a "concerned, what will we do if they don't pick him up, can you offer any support or advice" kind of way. I just say this, cos we had a bit of a problem with our taxi escort. The Boy is picked up from one nursery and ferried to a special nursery. I rarely get to see the special nursery. The escort starting "passing on messages" to the private nursery - and some of them were truly odd (won't go into them here). Anyway, I rang the special nursery & they said that they NEVER pass messages on via the escort, she was just hearing half a tale & passing it on (the nice part of me thinks she was trying to be helpful the cynical part thinks she was just sticking her nose in) Anway, the long winded point I am trying to make is that quite often escorts get things wrong & you need to talk to the organ grinder at the LEA, not the monkey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pumpkinpie Report post Posted January 18, 2006 It is a child protectin isssue and leas should carefully scrutinise taxi drivers and escort, as parents we need to ask questions and ensure this is done. A recent case in the papers involved a taxi driver emplyed to take a number of young men with learning disabiites to their various activites has been in our local press he was jailed for rape and sexual abuse,grooming a number of lads before it came to light. Im not trying to be alarmist but we need to be carefual ion our kids behalf! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oracle Report post Posted January 18, 2006 MIN <'> So sorry I was certainly not having a go at your children or anyone elses for that matter - far from it. I have said for a very long time now that anyone who works with our children needs to be trained and then paid accordingly for the job that they do. The fact that our kids are being escorted round by people who have no knowledge or understanding is in my opnion is criminal. It is certainly not helping you at the moment is it? Carole Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adamsmum Report post Posted January 18, 2006 I can see caroles point Adam kicked escort in head today He dident mean to hurt him but the man is verry old and this is not the firest time. Lucky thay take his shoes off when in bus. I think soon thay will make me take him Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mother in Need Report post Posted January 19, 2006 Well, the update. The taxi did not show up this morning. When I rang them they told me they could no longer take him... I sort of expected this, but it would have been nice if someone had told me... I am still waiting for the transport officer of the LEA to ring me back... don't expect it to be today anymore... Talked to the parent partnership lady who was great and got the education welfare officer involved who seemed to have no interest in getting him back to school, and who would not accept that it was the fact that the school was not meeting his needs that made him this phobic... He did talk about home schooling and will get back in touch regarding this... So now I am stuck with him at home... Oh please let that statement be done soon and be implemented...and let it contain the help that he needs i.e. fulltime 1-2-1 though EVERYONE so far has been telling me that is an impossibility to wish for... I think going mad is MUCH easier to achieve LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adamsmum Report post Posted January 19, 2006 Thats terrible how could they not call you. There was no need for that. Hope you can sort it out soon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mother in Need Report post Posted January 26, 2006 We're a week later and I have still not had any news regarding this home schooling, nobody has offered any help (not that they ever have) and I am still stuck as anything. I need a shower, I am exhausted, his brothers are somewhat touchy, and I don't know what to do. Don't get me wrong, I love him dearly, and try not to show him my frustration, but I was already desperately in need of a break and instead I got him 24/7. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phasmid Report post Posted January 26, 2006 The LEA are obliged to provide him with an education in much the same way as we are required to send them. The fact that the taxi firm will no longer pick him up does NOT absolve the LEA of this responsibility. Get back in touch and ask them when alternative transport arrangements will be in place and what they are doing in the meantime to address his eductaion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
