School bus times changed without warning

MockneyReject · 2023-06-22T19:08:13+00:00

For 2 years, the school bus has arrived at 08:00. I see DS on, and then rush to work, for 08:15ish. I'm meant to start at 08:00, so spend the morning catching up (home care visits). As of 2 weeks ago, the regular company have stopped trading. So, the Local Authority have issued a temporary contract. The new providers have been late, every day, both morning and afternoon. Parents received a text, usually once the bus was half an hour late. So, middle school children (9-13) are waiting around for between 30 and 60 minutes. They used to arrive home at around 3:50. Lately, it has been 4:30 ish. Again, no communication. Today, parents have received an update, in response to all the complaints. From now until possibly the end of this school year, the bus will pick up at 9ish and collect the children from school at 4. So, they will arrive 45 minutes late for the school day, and will return home 45 minutes to an hour late. Apparently, the new firm is struggling, due to broken down buses and lack of drivers. The buses that are turning up are quite random - old with no seatbelts. I phoned the LA today, explaining that I am unwilling to leave my child home alone, every morning, to get himself to school. More importantly, he won't be home before I leave for my evening shift, so will have to let himself in, cook his own dinner and put himself to bed, 2-3 times a week. I get home at about 8:30. Usually, he comes with me, and has dinner with a friend, close to my work, if I'm doing a split shift. Their response was that I have a choice. Either, tell my employer that I'm simply not coming in to work (I already had to phone in at the last minute, this evening, as I was frantically looking out for the bus) which cost me £35 earnings. My manager is already annoyed with me. OR advertise on SM for a stranger to take him and collect him, as I don't know any other parents. They refused to allow me to apply for a Personal Travel Budget, to cover taxis. They stated that seatbelts are preferable, but not a duty. So, tomorrow, he will have to come to work with me, instead of going to school. He will likely have to come with me all next week, and sit in the car, while I do care visits - usually 30-60 minutes each. AIBU to think they are failing to meet their obligation? And to be worried sick, as my options are: Give up work and be unable to pay the rent/bills/food. Keep DS off school, risking court/fines.

gumball37 · 23/06/2023 16:12

Could you take him to your first appointment at 730 (leaving him in the car), then run him to school between that and the second? I'm a single mom...it's quite shit that people aren't understanding of some of the difficulties we face.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 23/06/2023 10:06

We had similar round here and parents clubbed together to get a taxi minibus organised.
not ideal when yours is free (ours isn’t as it’s ironically too far despite being “local catchment”)

have the council got a plan for the new term? They cannot have children being consistently late or in schools care for longer

Malbecfan · 23/06/2023 09:58

OP I get it. I live in a hamlet in SW England. My kids' school bus went from a stop 1.5 miles away. The road to get there is mostly single-track with passing places, no pavements, very hilly and a 60mph speed limit. There is a quieter lane they could use, but that has a ford which is impassible on foot in the winter. I invariably drove them to & from the bus stop on days I wasn't working there.

Definitely contact your MP and your county councillors because the county is paying for this service. Get on that village FB page and reach out to others to see if there is someone out there who could help at one end of the day. Good luck.

Clarinet1 · 23/06/2023 09:34

RhosynBach · 23/06/2023 08:56

I would absolutely go on the angle that the children cannot be arriving 45 mins late for school each day- that’s awful. They’re entitled to that education. That’s going to massively disrupt their education. Fight it on that angle op not on your work hours- they won’t care about your work hours but they have a duty to ensure your child receives his education

This!
Also go with the angle the new company
may be in breach of their contract. I would be surprised if it didn’t include some kind of standard for punctuality eg no more than X minutes late no more than Y per cent of the time. If the company are pleading lack of drivers or vehicles, that’s their problem, not yours.

RhosynBach · 23/06/2023 08:56

I would absolutely go on the angle that the children cannot be arriving 45 mins late for school each day- that’s awful. They’re entitled to that education. That’s going to massively disrupt their education. Fight it on that angle op not on your work hours- they won’t care about your work hours but they have a duty to ensure your child receives his education

OnceAgainWithFeeling · 23/06/2023 08:42

MockneyReject · 22/06/2023 22:44

I think this is the answer, for now.
Holidays are a mishmash of friends from his old school.(reciprocal, but waning, due to us moving away), the 79 year old neighbour, him sitting in the car, paid babysitters and a whole load of guilt.
Term time used to be the easy bit.
If I start at 7:30, I have to (officially) finish at 2, because of employment law, around breaks. In practice, travel time puts me out until about 3, so I'm home in time to throw a wash on and do some dinner before the bus drops DS off at 3:50ish. Then we catch up on the car, and I dump him again, for a couple of hours.
That's only a few nights a week, though. Most evenings, we argue over homework, or rush to pre paid swimming/guitar lessons (which he will now miss) then go to bed. Meals and bed are now pushed back by an hour, and he'll miss the fun stuff.

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Employment law dictates one 20 minute (unpaid) break if you work more than 6 hours. It cannot be taken at the start or end of a shift but there are no other restrictions on when it can be taken. You could take it 3 or 9 hours into an 11 hour shift, for example. There would be nothing wrong with that.

Quiverer · 23/06/2023 08:34

MockneyReject · 23/06/2023 00:16

Thank you.
This is very useful, and kinda what I was looking for.

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You might have to move on to getting a formal pre-action letter sent, and unfortunately that isn't covered by legal aid unless you qualify in your own right. You need to go to solicitors specialising in education law such as Simpson Millar or Irwin Mitchell.

Sceptre86 · 23/06/2023 08:32

Ask for contact details for new headteacher or deputy head.
Write to, email and telephone your mp.
Telephone your local newspaper.
Reach out on social media to parents at the school who may well be in the same position.
Be honest with your employer, that morning shifts will only work for you in the holidays otherwise you can do evening shifts. Negotiate with them, you are reliable that should stand you in good stead.
Ultimately this location does not work for you as few job opportunities and having to rely on public transport which is unreliable for your son. At some point you will need to move but for now try all of the above.

NotEverORNever · 23/06/2023 08:24

OP, you mention a 79 year old neighbour. Any chance you could utilise them more. It's not like you son needs a babysitter babysitter but having the neighbour check in on him might help. A lot of 79 year olds are at home a lot anyway.
It the type of thing my Mum might like to do.

I also wonder if it's worth asking on Facebook/NextDoor or whatever if there is anyone who could give your son a lift - again maybe you could return the favour at times.
I'd also double check the local buses - loads and loads of kids use them where I live. I think the idea that they are always late and a really unreliable is a bit outdated. ( although maybe they are in other areas)
Good luck. It must be very stressful.

ZZpop · 23/06/2023 07:18

The only thing the LA have any obligation about is the 45 min late arrival at school each day. That is the bit you need to concentrate on.

Goshdarnitgoofy · 23/06/2023 07:17

The council should have a contract with the bus company and if they are not carrying out their contractual duties, it will be a breach of contact. I would Ask for a copy under FOI to understand what they contractually have to provide. That might help - rather than the council accepting a worse service.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 23/06/2023 06:57

Are you on universal credit? If so, I'd just drop some hours. The UC will make up the shortfall.

Badbudgeter · 23/06/2023 00:39

I think this is for the council to resolve it’s completely unacceptable that your child is missing hours of lessons each week.

I’m also rural and get buses to school so completely understand that it is not at all feasible to cycle. Our road is lethal, cars whizzing along at 60mph, blind bends etc. There are quad bike trails but nothing that’d go in a handy straight line by the road!

It is no wonder your employer appreciates you. They are taking advantage by not paying you accurate travel time so you’re effectively earning less than minimum wage.

You may find that it will resolve post summer and they will just eke it out till then. Have you considered trying to cut your hours for a bit. I’ve done the min wage/ Uc combo and sometimes the figures don’t stack up. By the time you pay tax/ ni then knock off 55% taper rate its down to 30p per pound. I worked out I made £10 per six hour shift once I’d taken off petrol.

If you can I’d look to retrain to something better paid. Also put yourself out there a bit. Communities can be super helpful

KingOfThieves · 23/06/2023 00:39

MockneyReject · 22/06/2023 22:18

Im not asking for more supervision; I'm asking that he continue to get to school in time, and to leave school on time.
I'm not asking for after school care. I have care in place for him after school, but if he is still at school, waiting for a late bus, I can't get him there, can I?
My work was compatible with the bus times that were in place when I registered him at the school.
Work hasn't changed - the buses have.
He has to be left, more than either of us are comfortable with. I put arrangements in place to minimise this. The altered bus times have scuppered those arrangements.

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Then that isn’t how your post reads. No one can blame you for being annoyed at him attending school late and leaving late. It is disruptive to his education. But your work hours obviously leave very little flexibility either side regardless.

JulianFawcettMP · 23/06/2023 00:18

@UpUpUpU

Such a good point. I bet the op has not thought of it once

Original poster

MockneyReject · 23/06/2023 00:16

Quiverer · 22/06/2023 23:33

I'm amazed that so many people think it's up to OP to resolve this. The simple fact is that the council is acting unlawfully. Children are entitled to full time education, and these arrangements mean that they are missing 4-5 hours education per week. I doubt that the school is too pleased at having the beginning of the school day so badly disrupted - and who is looking after the children after school till the bus turns up?

As people suggest, you need to contact your councillor and MPs, and enter formal complaints. I would suggest you also write formally telling the council that if they don't rectify this you will have to take judicial review action to enforce your child's rights. They won't risk you going to court, because you would get legal aid in your child's name to pursue any case, so they know it is a real risk and that they would lose.

Thank you.
This is very useful, and kinda what I was looking for.

OP posts:

transformandriseup · 23/06/2023 00:14

No advice but I remember this happening to me when I was at school, I had a disabled parent who couldn't drive so I was just late every day. It's rubbish this is still happening.

Original poster

MockneyReject · 23/06/2023 00:11

Muststopeating · 23/06/2023 00:04

This is fucking batshit mental. How can the local authority possibly think it is acceptable to have children arrive late for school and then wait for however long to be collected again.

It is awful that it is affecting your work and I can't imagine how stressful that is. I don't suppose the LA give a shit about it though. But the fact that they are failing to give children their full education is completely and utterly unacceptable.

Our children's education is absolutely the most important thing and the privileged bastards that run this country are failing them spectacularly.

Kick up a holy stink OP. If this really is happening elsewhere in the country then find evidence and see if you can get it reported on nationally. It is NOT okay!!!

From a practical sense... Since he would miss the start of school anyway could you take him with you until after the 9.30 rush (start at 7.30) and then run him to school in a break. Doesn't solve your evening but perhaps a start?

Sorry you are dealing with this.

Thank you for getting it.
The round.trip from work to school is over an hour. I don't get a break, so the earliest I could do that run is 3pm, so he would arrive just in time to get on the (delayed) bus home!

OP posts:

Original poster

MockneyReject · 23/06/2023 00:05

EnthENd · 22/06/2023 23:33

Unfortunately your difficulty handling both work and parenting isn't really the council's problem.

But I agree with previous posters that the local authority has a legal duty to provide transport and that surely, obviously, means the school bus arrives at the school on time. That's the angle I would take. The return should also be reasonably prompt after the school closes - 45 minutes is pushing it a bit (and are the kids waiting in the school or are they thrown out?).

PS: Poke around on a map and see if there's any footpaths or bridleways that might be useful. 4 or 5 miles on a car-free path is an easy bike ride and a longish but doable walk.

My difficulty handling both work and parenting, has only arisen since the school bus was withdrawn.
It may not be the LA's. problem, but my problem is a result of their decision to shirk their obligations.
It's irrelevant whose fault it is. My landlord doesn't care.

There are no useful fields/bridleways/mountain passes/fjords/ski lifts etc - if there were, then the LA wouldn't have accepted the responsibility for transport.

OP posts:

Muststopeating · 23/06/2023 00:04

This is fucking batshit mental. How can the local authority possibly think it is acceptable to have children arrive late for school and then wait for however long to be collected again.

It is awful that it is affecting your work and I can't imagine how stressful that is. I don't suppose the LA give a shit about it though. But the fact that they are failing to give children their full education is completely and utterly unacceptable.

Our children's education is absolutely the most important thing and the privileged bastards that run this country are failing them spectacularly.

Kick up a holy stink OP. If this really is happening elsewhere in the country then find evidence and see if you can get it reported on nationally. It is NOT okay!!!

From a practical sense... Since he would miss the start of school anyway could you take him with you until after the 9.30 rush (start at 7.30) and then run him to school in a break. Doesn't solve your evening but perhaps a start?

Sorry you are dealing with this.

eatthecheese · 22/06/2023 23:41

Could you collect him from school after your shift so that you get a bit more time together? I know it's not ideal for you to travel more but might make it up to him a bit. I get the guilt it's awful. You sound like you're managing so much on your own. You should cut yourself some slack, he'll be proud of how hard you work.

EnthENd · 22/06/2023 23:33

Unfortunately your difficulty handling both work and parenting isn't really the council's problem.

But I agree with previous posters that the local authority has a legal duty to provide transport and that surely, obviously, means the school bus arrives at the school on time. That's the angle I would take. The return should also be reasonably prompt after the school closes - 45 minutes is pushing it a bit (and are the kids waiting in the school or are they thrown out?).

PS: Poke around on a map and see if there's any footpaths or bridleways that might be useful. 4 or 5 miles on a car-free path is an easy bike ride and a longish but doable walk.

Quiverer · 22/06/2023 23:33

I'm amazed that so many people think it's up to OP to resolve this. The simple fact is that the council is acting unlawfully. Children are entitled to full time education, and these arrangements mean that they are missing 4-5 hours education per week. I doubt that the school is too pleased at having the beginning of the school day so badly disrupted - and who is looking after the children after school till the bus turns up?

As people suggest, you need to contact your councillor and MPs, and enter formal complaints. I would suggest you also write formally telling the council that if they don't rectify this you will have to take judicial review action to enforce your child's rights. They won't risk you going to court, because you would get legal aid in your child's name to pursue any case, so they know it is a real risk and that they would lose.

Original poster

MockneyReject · 22/06/2023 23:27

TeenagersAngst · 22/06/2023 22:53

I just wanted to say how sorry I am, OP, that you're having to deal with this. It sounds like you've already had a tough time if you've been relocated by WA, you're doing an amazing, woefully underpaid job and this has now been thrown at you. You'd be forgiven for just saying fuck it all and going on benefits so you can be there for your son.

Thank you.
I'll never say 'f**k it all' because he needs to see a work ethic. But, bloody hell, it's tempting, when I add up/subtract minimum wage - tax - NI - 55% UC deductions - babysitter - petrol - car parking fees - a packet of Paracetamol because I'm so tired my head is throbbing, and work out that I've dumped my kid and made him miserable all weekend, only to end up £1.50 better off than if I'd stayed in bed!

OP posts:

Ermengarde · 22/06/2023 23:25

MockneyReject · 22/06/2023 22:54

Yes - they have to, now.
My rota is available to me, 48 hours in advance. It is typically 6.5 hours of back to back visits. Eg, one gentleman lives very rurally. His visit is a 20 mile round trip. There is no travel time on the rota, but it is added to my pay.
So, on paper, I am working 6.5 hours, without a break. In reality, it is 7-8 hours. I am paid travel time for all except the first and last visits, which are considered commuting. Of course, 'the system' does not allow for the added time it takes, driving in to a tourist seaside town, on a bank holiday weekend. I'm paid for 15 minutes, even though it sometimes takes an hour.

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If you’re earning minimum wage then your employer is breaking the law by not paying you for the actual time it takes you to travel between jobs.

They can’t just use a standard “optimal” journey time. They have to pay you for how long it actually takes, otherwise you’re earning below minimum wage.

It’s scandalous how many employers try to avoid paying what’s legally required, it makes me so angry. And it always affects the workers who can least afford it.