School transport just put my son in a car with no car seat

[HumphreyCobblers]

He is four. His transport changed last week from a bus to a car. He had a seat in the bus so I didn't imagine they wouldn't bother in the car. He is little! I must have sent him off yesterday in a car with no proper booster seat I put one in and the driver said very defensively that it isn't the law to have child seats in a taxi. I said that there is the law and there is safe driving with children!! In his form I stated clearly that he travelled with a booster seat (he is still in five point harness in my car). I am so cross about this. He has a really long commute

and I was cross and I showed it, hence my now seeking validation from you all that I wasn't unreasonable...

Humphrey it’s apalling isn’t it. I think you need to get onto the council transport office & state your concerns as they are responsible for the providers. Then can you arrange with the taxi form to use your booster seat? My Son is a wheelchair user & I’ve had lots of troubles with safety issues. We fight & fight to keep this transport but the actual service is appalling & sometimes dangerous (& no one seems bothered )

Firm not form. No you’re not being unreasonable it’s your child, precious cargo.

oh thanks GoldenGumballs, I do doubt myself when I get cross (female socialisation) I sent him off with our booster seat and will bloody buy one for them to use today. Sorry you have had issues too. I am finding it all so very hard. No one even explained to the escort that my son has delayed speech and is non verbal with strangers and cant follow verbal instructions. I was totally ignorant of this issue before, although I knew a fair bit about issues in classes I never thought about the transport

I mean being in a taxi isn't a magical protection from crashing FFS!

You’re welcome Humphrey my Son is 18 now so (also non verbal). I’m always cheerful & treat people well but I’ve had to grow big balls to make sure people are doing their jobs right & my boy is safe & cares for. Brings out your inner lioness . Highly recommend getting a band parents in similar circumstances together for cuppas, tears & support ( or join us if in Leeds!)

that is great advice, thank you. Sadly not in Leeds! We are lucky in that he has got a place in a specialist unit but the down side is the long commute. Originally they put him at the beginning of a seven child pick up but they have changed that now, which we were delighted by.

No help to give but wanted to offer support, that sounds dreadful; I always assumed such transport providers were fully aware of their passengers needs would be understanding of them and would do their best to comply with their needs.

Cheers Roystonv. They put an adult seat belt on him that would have been round his neck

Whilst he is correct in legal terms that a child over 3 doesn't need a seat in a taxi, it feels wrong that a taxi providing dedicated school transport doesn't have to provide them or at least make sure you are happy not to use one/provide one. It's a safety issue in my mind rather than a legal one and I'd be fuming if it was expected my child was traveling daily in a car without one.

'Not needed' does not mean it's safe. I would have been furious in your shoes OP. I have in the past argued with taxi drivers and where I could afford it, turned down the taxi to get safer transport.

At 4 I suppose the ideal option is a high back booster, not just a booster even. So no seat at all is unthinkable from a safety standpoint.

thanks everyone I wish I didn't doubt my reactions so much but every time I get actually angry I wobble! I wasn't rude to them, just livid at the situation. Will be phoning school transport myself at nine.

whilst you are not being unreasonable - legally he is right he doesnt need one in a taxi (i.e. its legal) unsafe yes and far from ideal but legal. Talk to them see if you can supply one

My 4 year old doesn't have a car seat in his school transport either. He gets a mini bus, although we're lucky as his commute is only about 15 minutes.

My som is in a mini bus he doesnt have a car seat but he is in a harmess as he would climb out of his seat have they done a proper assessment of his needs etc?

I think the law is wrong in this regard.

We are in a London borough and transport use black cabs. On the form it asked if your child still needs a car seat - if you click yes it then tells you to provide one. It is annoying as you are given three minutes to get out the door carrying the seat, fitting it and then securing child. Then repeat when then come back as the taxi can’t keep the seat. Age 4 unless large the adult belt wouldn’t work safely due to weight. I think it is 18kg. You did nothing wrong op in saying that you prefer your child safely secured and transport your end should have made it clear at the beginning that you provide a seat. Btw my son has a long commute too - pick up 7 40 and starts at 9.

I spoke to a woman at the transport office and she was horrified. Apparently we should have been told that we need to supply a seat but of course it should have been flagged up that he did not have one. The fact that the taxi driver said he had never transported a kid with a seat in ten years of driving the route kind of flabbergasted her (as it did me). Anyway, he has a seat now and it will be used.

Thanks for all the information and support.