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AIBU?

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Original poster

To refuse school transport on safeguarding grounds

37 replies

Pistachiopikachu · 08/05/2026 17:51

My child's taxi driver has recently told him he thinks its ok to use racial slurs.

He's made various derogatory comments about woman drivers.

Aplauded the use of the England flags being hung and painted.

When its just my child on the route he will sometimes take a longer route home. This is apparently to avoid traffic, that hasn't shown up when I've checked the route myself when I check to see where he is as I am never notified if they are running late.

This driver swears when having to deal with situations with the children and at other drivers.

My child gets school transport to specialist SEN school.
This is provided by a taxi firm contracted by the council. He attends the closest school that is able to meet his need.
There are two children on the route and no assistant as it has been deemed they do not need one.

AIBU to refuse to allow my child to travel and tell the council they need to provide an alternative?

OP posts:
Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 18:17

StartingFreshFor2026 · 08/05/2026 18:14

Yes, exactly, hence why I said "even from a non disabled child". The possibility a child made up coherent and detailed lies consistently to portray a narrative of someone with regressive ideas is very low. And why would they do it?

I don't think the OP asking her child if he is lying would be reasonable in this scenario, not only because it's a safeguarding issue but also because the chances he's lying must be practically zilch. OP knows her child is not lying.

Edited
Show quote history

My point is - the driver has either said this directly to the op or… the op is putting her own flourishes on what her child has said

StartingFreshFor2026 · 08/05/2026 18:14

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 18:06

It would be very detailed and coherent comments to come from a child in any context.

Show quote history

Yes, exactly, hence why I said "even from a non disabled child". The possibility a child made up coherent and detailed lies consistently to portray a narrative of someone with regressive ideas is very low. And why would they do it?

I don't think the OP asking her child if he is lying would be reasonable in this scenario, not only because it's a safeguarding issue but also because the chances he's lying must be practically zilch. OP knows her child is not lying.

Octavia64 · 08/05/2026 18:12

You’d be unreasonable to refuse to travel.

perfectly reasonable to ask for a different driver though.

Rasell · 08/05/2026 18:11

Absolutely no way! What a nightmare...your poor kid! I wouldn't let my child back in his car ever again. The racial slurs, swearing and the rest are atrocious and the taxi firm shouldn't have someone so unsuitable doing the job and ruining their reputation, but the fact that he takes an unplanned and longer route when alone with your child is terrifying. I'd tell the school, see if there are any other complaints, call the taxi firm and the council and just refuse to go anywhere near him. He's not safe to work with children and young people!

alwaysusethebiglight · 08/05/2026 18:09

Of course. I’ve complained before, but maybe AIBU isn’t the best place for this, try the SEN boards for some great advice.

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 18:06

StartingFreshFor2026 · 08/05/2026 18:02

Those would be some very detailed and coherent lies to come from a disabled child. Not absolutely impossible but extremely unlikely, even from a non disabled child to be honest.

Show quote history

It would be very detailed and coherent comments to come from a child in any context.

Owninterpreter · 08/05/2026 18:03

My child's driver has been changed due to inappropriate language against another child in the taxi. There was no break in service, another driver turned up the next day.

(Im not sure applauding flags is a valid issue though)

StartingFreshFor2026 · 08/05/2026 18:02

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 17:53

Sure
tell them
if they agree there’ll be a delay, in the meantime your child won’t be going to school

are you 100% sure your child hasn’t misinterpreted / told outright porkies ?

Those would be some very detailed and coherent lies to come from a disabled child. Not absolutely impossible but extremely unlikely, even from a non disabled child to be honest.

HeyHoHenryHippy · 08/05/2026 17:56

Report all of your concerns to the school transport team.

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 17:54

Aplauded the use of the England flags being hung and painted.

I would never do it. But what’s the big deal?

NavyNorris · 08/05/2026 17:54

Have you made a complaint with the council? That's awful, I don't know why anyone would think it's ok to speak like that.
I haven't dealt with this personally but I think you're well within your rights to request another driver and refuse the other.

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 17:53

Sure
tell them
if they agree there’ll be a delay, in the meantime your child won’t be going to school

are you 100% sure your child hasn’t misinterpreted / told outright porkies ?

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