Problems with DS taxi, not sure what to do, HELP

[jenk1]

DS has had the mother of all meltdowns this morning, saying he didnt want to go toschool, which is so unlike him cos he loves his school.

he was ranting and shouting and i knew something was behind it, when i eventually calmed him down he told me that he hates the taxi, that the escorts act like kids, when i asked him to explain he told me that:

The escort reads out the daily book of the kids in the taxi (DS refuses to let her read his out)
When the taxi gets to school on time the escort stands up and cheers "Yes we are on time"
one of the boys who has quite severe behavioural problems was messing with the speakers and scratching them, the driver got out of his seat, opened the door and ds said he was "hitting" the boy on his leg.

i said what do you mean hitting him and he said well not hard mum just playing i think.

i think i should tell school, but ds does have a tendency to exaggerate a situation, i dont want to get anyone into trouble unecessarily.
i really dont know what to do.

[TotalChaos]

I defo think you should tell school - I think it's out of order if the escort is reading out school stuff like that. you can always either not mention the "hitting" or mention how DS described it to you.

[magso]

Agree speak to the school. The home school books are for home and are private!
Another approach might be to write to the escort if the situation is suitable.
We had a problem early on with Ds 'behaving badly' in the taxi because the driver was jollying up the kids - he needed the adults to behave like adults and give clear instructions and rules, structure and calm. We supported the rules with rewards. Now ds knows the rules, feels secure, and (everyone) can relax on the way home. I phrased it very carefully to explain ds need for calm and structure.

[macwoozy]

Jenk I think that's terrible that the escort reads their home school books, it's private and should only be for the eyes of teacher and parent. How dare he I'm not surprised your ds doesn't like his read out.

[jenk1]

have phoned the school and am waiting for them to phone me back.
its making ds very anxious and he,s never not wanted to go to school before.
i hope it gets sorted out.

[coppertop]

I would have been p'ed off about the escort reading the books, never mind the other stuff. Well done for phoning, Jenk. Fingers crossed for you and ds that this gets sorted out. xx

[bonkerz]

we have had problems with our escorts here. DS currently has a taxi to take him to the PRU he is at and we have a lovely taxi driver and his mum who comes every morning for DS BUT the home trip is more problematic. So far we have had them bringing DS home without a car seat which i strongly objected to and it was sorted. We have also had one escort who gave my DS notes to take in for a TA who he fancied and my DS actually got told off cos he passed on a message that the escort fancied the TA!!!!!
Not sure about your area but here in leicestreshire the taxis and escorts are sorted by the LEA and i had to contact them and complain. I now make sure i ask any driver who i dont know for their taxi number and escorts names incase i have any problems! Strangely since i have started to keep log of whos who things are running great!

[mshadowsisfab]

wow the escourt is way out of line reading the diary
speak to the school and also the school transport people.
we are quite lucky with dd's driver(the escourt does FA) but everynow and agin he over steps the mark and will come to the door with dd telling me she has been told off or something. so i then contact teacher and they all stop telling him stuff(happens about once a year)

[jenk1]

well i spoke to ds,s key worker.

i told him first about the reading of the books aloud and he said thats a big no no.

then i told him about the hitting incident, he went very quiet, i did say that ds has a tendency to exaggerate, he said he will speak to the boy in question and ask him what went on and if necessary speak to ds, he said he was phoning the lea to advise them and he would also wait for the taxi this afternoon and tell the escorts NOT to read personal information about the children.

he said i had done the right thing and the last thing he wants is for ds to start school refusing.

he said you leave this with me now and i will sort it.

so i have!

[bonkerz]

well done for raising the issue. Hope oyu get the results now! just stay on top of it!
From experiance i know the LEA use the cheapest taxis and escorts which isnt always the best. The PRU unit my son goes to found a lovely all female taxi firm who had more mature ladies to be escorts who would be perfect for my DS but obviously they charge more and LEA refused to pay.