Do schools have to provide disabled parking spaces?

[hanaka88]

Ok here's my question. My son has autism, he is in a mainstream school and has a blue badge as he will just have a brain meltdown and run off quickly, he will also just throw himself onto the floor, it is unsafe to walk him near roads and a charity has provided him with a disability buggy due to this. He gets high rate mobility and high rate care.

When he got his badge I asked the head about using the disabled bays in the morning (although other parents do who don't have a badge) and he said yes in the morning but not after school as there is a boy in a wheelchair and a girl on crutches and only 2 spaces.

Fair enough I thought and carried on. Recently my son has got worse and the parents in the normal car park double park etc makin it even more dangerous and he almost got run over when my mum collected him the other day do my mum asked if she could use the staff car park as it was unsafe for my son an he has a badge. Head said no again. (this head is known for not particularly liking SN children by all the SN parents at that school)

I'm not sure the laws on this one. Does he have to provide spaces? I know my school would and so would my mums school even if it was just to park in the staff car park (where the 2 disabled spaces are)

Does anyone know? Thanks

[DownbytheRiverside]

Appeal to the governors in writing, and you can check up with the inclusion team at your LEA about the legalities.

[Iggi999]

I don't think the current disabled spaces can be reserved for particular students, how can they tell you not to use the disabled spaces if you have a badge? I'm saying that as I don't think they will be forced to provide one space for every child. But, they clearly aren't looking into making reasonable adjustments to support the well-being of your child. If the head doesn't muck "like" SN pupils, presumably he doesn't like being sued either.

[saintlyjimjams]

Is this mainstream school?

My son has severe autism (we have a blue badge) and on the rare occasions we pick his brothers up from school we can use the disabled space (or at least park in the school car park). In the distant past when he was at mainstream we used the staff car park.

I would email saying your son was nearly run over and therefore you will be using the staff car park as you have a blue badge. If the children with pd's need more space to get in a car than your son you will of course leave the wider disabled space free.

[saintlyjimjams]

Oh just saw the mainstream bit.

Another thing that can help is harnesses as sold by crelling. Makes it easier to prevent running off.

[hanaka88]

We tried the harness thing.he got it off easily. He's a little escape artist my little man :) I'm trying to get him out of that school to be honest. I don't see why, if there's space in the staff car park, my mum can't park there to keep him safe....it's crazy. The head once said to me 'yes well hes not disabled' and I said 'you mean physically disabled surely as a head teacher would never assume disabilities means 'wheelchairs' it's not like it's easy to get DLA or blue badges. They need reports off loads of specialists.

[DownbytheRiverside]

He needs a visit from the inclusion hit squad, or at least a phone call.
They were very effective when my son was excluded for three days in Y7, and we built a fantastic relationship up with the school after the initial bumpy start.

[DeWe]

I doubt legally you have a right, as I think schools are not public property and can choose who to let on to site. If there's only two spaces, then it's not unreasonable to only give permission for the "most needy" two.

But I think they should be able to work out something, even if it's a case of you be allowed to double park in there. There's not going to be many if any staff leaving directly at the end of school, so you shouldn't be causing a blockage.

If there are other spaces then I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't use a standard space. Seems a bit strange to refuse you if there are other spaces.

[RedHelenB]

Can't he just be strapped into his buggy straight away?

[saintlyjimjams]

I would look at moving schools to be honest - it sounds hard work if you have to explain that he's disabled. Have you considered special school? Ds1 has done so much better since leaving mainstream.

[hanaka88]

No he can't his buggy isn't here yet :(

[hanaka88]

He has a rubbish second hand one with a lap belt he can open easily. The new one will have a 5 point harness not sure who owns the car park