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AIBU?

Am I over reacting? Kids in a taxi by themselves.

67 replies

HuevosRancheros · 29/05/2019 18:39

Kids went to holiday club today, they have been many times before, they know the staff and the staff know them.

In the afternoon they go swimming off site. Today apparently there wasn’t enough room in the minibus for all of them, so my two (aged 8 and 11) and two other kids (don’t know the ages) went in a taxi by themselves. No adult from holiday club in there with them, but using a known and trusted taxi company. DCs said they were chosen as they were sensible and some of the oldest there.
There were two members of staff in the minibus with the other kids.

I’m not happy about it. I’d never put the kids in a taxi on their own, and don’t like the fact that the holiday club have done it without me knowing. But am I over reacting? Would appreciate some other opinions and perspective please :)

OP posts:

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nancy75 · 29/05/2019 18:43

I wouldn’t be very happy about this at all. I think taxi drivers are dbs checked to get their licence but I would wonder if the holiday club had checked this was in place & up to date as a minimum

LeukaeLucky · 29/05/2019 18:43

If they've done it it's very likely that they are pre approved / dbs checked. It's worth having a chat with the staff members and discuss your concerns

adaline · 29/05/2019 18:43

I really don't see the problem but they should have asked your permission first.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 29/05/2019 18:43

I wouldn't have been happy about it, no.

MyDcAreMarvel · 29/05/2019 18:44

Yes overreacting , your dc are 8 and 11. They are not little children and it wasn’t just one child.

kbPOW · 29/05/2019 18:45

It's not okay. An adult should have gone with them.

WhenZogateSuperworm · 29/05/2019 18:47

If there had been an accident the taxi driver would not have had the correct contact and medical information for your children so I wouldn’t be happy.

VaggieMight · 29/05/2019 18:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at poster's request.

HomeMadeMadness · 29/05/2019 18:48

I wouldn't love it either. I would have thought one member of staff should have travelled in the taxi.

Popfan · 29/05/2019 18:49

I'd be really cross about this. An adult should definitely have been with them. Can't believe they thought it an ok thing to do without your permission, even if it was a trusted taxi company. I'd have said no even if they had asked first if no adult was going to be with them.

mbosnz · 29/05/2019 18:49

No, not overreacting. At 8 and 11, they are still vulnerable, and as many a young woman can attest, it's a situation in which power can easily be abused.

Can the holiday care program abdicate their duty of care and responsibility for supervision like that?

3boysandabump · 29/05/2019 18:50

I used to work as a taxi escort for the local authority. The taxi company were not allowed to take the kids from their contracted jobs without an adult in the car. Not sure it's the same rules for a one of job but you would have thought they'd want an adult with them anyway.

Manclife1 · 29/05/2019 18:50

I think you’re all over reacting. It’s not some random stranger off the street and they could’ve driven in convoy so as to eliminate risk. Not everyone is a predatory paedophile!

nancy75 · 29/05/2019 18:51

People running a holiday club ( if doing it properly) will have emergency contact details, details of illness/ allergy for each child & also have any required medicine for each child, things like asthma inhalers or epipens (as well as up to date first aid training) none of this would be covered by a taxi driver

mbosnz · 29/05/2019 18:56

It’s not some random stranger off the street um, well, yes it is. And people to whom you entrusted the care of your children have (without your consent) abdicated their responsbility and the care of your children to that random stranger off the street.

Not everyone is a predatory paedophile, no. Such a shame it can be so hard to tell who is, don't you think?

WhenZogateSuperworm · 29/05/2019 18:59

I wouldn’t be concerned about the taxi driver being a paedophile- I would be worried that they don’t have the necessary qualifications or information to care for my children while in their sole care.

twojackrusselsandamoggie · 29/05/2019 19:01

I wouldn't be happy about this unless I'd been informed before, so I could give my consent (once I'd checked it out). I think you should speak with them, OP, and find out what their policy is on this.

Notabedofroses · 29/05/2019 19:02

A member of staff should have been with them, no it is not acceptable to leave children on their own in a taxi. Who knows who the driver might be, or his or her background.

I would be worried about using the any club that felt this is okay, it would make me question their judgement and policies.

I would be speaking to them first thing tomorrow.

TheCanterburyWhales · 29/05/2019 19:04

I thought all taxi drivers who take minors have to be DBS'd and have the relevant paperwork to carry them, including contact details?

I work in a boarding school, and the firm we use certainly does. Children are sometimes sent off in a taxi (horse-riding lessons etc) but the drivers have our head's contact details. If they're going to airports etc, it's the taxi driver who does the assisted check-in etc.

We certainly wouldn't be just ringing any old firm just because we didn't have room in the bus. We're not allowed to.

nancy75 · 29/05/2019 19:04

I am amazed they thought it was ok to book in too many children for the transport available - it is very poor planning

managedmis · 29/05/2019 19:10

Yeah, I'd not be happy

Nanny0gg · 29/05/2019 19:15

Private hire drivers are used to take out-of-catchment children and special needs children to their respective schools without an adult.

If they are council certified (and they can't work if they're not) they are DBS checked and will know what they are doing.

We are not (presumably) talking back street minicabs here.

A member of staff should have been with them, no it is not acceptable to leave children on their own in a taxi. Who knows who the driver might be, or his or her background.

Unless he is unlicensed, the school and the council do.

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Pluto1976 · 29/05/2019 19:17

My daughter goes to school in a taxi, provided by our LA. There is ALWAYS a chaperone present, in addition to the driver. YANBU to be unhappy about this.

rainbowruthie · 29/05/2019 19:19

I'm in the 'no I wouldn't be happy with this' camp
Why didn't one of the staff members travel in the cab?

GarthFunkel · 29/05/2019 19:21

I wouldn't be happy about that.

And I've got fond memories of going to a holiday club as a child and being driven around in a minibus when the back doors opened, kids were hanging off the open swinging doors and the driver didn't even notice

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