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Original poster

School Bus Full - Safeguarding issue?

30 replies

connectsystem · 14/12/2021 10:40

This has happened a few times now.

Used to be x2 school buses, now consolidated into x1.

Basically its a full capacity bus, x70 seats (larger bus) all full.

Usual driver ill. Wrong bus arrives (smaller capacity) - not enough seats... a handful of children have to get off the bus, as there are upto x10 seats short...

My son is the last pickup bus stop, one of the last kids to board the bus. Totally reliant on older kids getting off so he gets a seat. He is 12. Normally, we are both on our way to work at this time of the morning.

The reason we are paying £100 a month is for peace of mindd that he is getting to school and back. Surely this is a serious safeguarding issue?

OP posts:
EduCated · 14/12/2021 16:26

If the older children get off, presumably at that point it is close enough to walk/travel by other means?

By all means complain about the crap service, but agree with others that it’s not safeguarding.

Tee20x · 14/12/2021 15:07

Bad service but not a safeguarding issue.

negomi90 · 14/12/2021 12:20

I'd say its a shit service issue as opposed to safeguarding.
Unless its is a special provision for vulnerable (intellectual/physical) children. Then saying the bus is full, not safe, so we're not stopping isn't safeguarding.
If however you've paid for a reserved seat, then its not giving you what you paid for.
If you've just paid for a bus pass, then its shit but you have less rights as on lots of public transport, if the bus/train is full you have to get the next one. I appreciate that with a school bus you can't get the next one, but its the same principle/theory.
I'd look into alternate (proper public transport) options if I were you. And try for money back.

Seeline · 14/12/2021 12:04

Most 12 yos make their own way to school.

How far away is school? What sort of area is the bus stop in? What is the alternative way to get to school - walking in remote area, along country lanes, or leafy residential area? Does he have money/card to get public transport?

Not sure if safeguarding is the concern. If I was paying for a service, I would be annoyed if it wasn't provided, but if it is a one-off, these things happen.

TeenMinusTests · 14/12/2021 11:06

Was this a one off?
Did the older kids get off so the younger ones could get on?
Does your DS know what to do if the bus ever doesn't arrive?

12yos normally make their own way to school, and you should have a backup for broken buses - eg he has a front door key and goes home and phones you.

Unless SN, doesn't sound ideal, but doesn't sound like 'serious safeguarding' to me either.

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