What am I supposed to do RE School?

[Soubriquet]

We no longer have a car. We cannot afford to replace it either which means we can no longer get the dc to school.

dd has council transport but it’s from the local town rather than our actual destination, which means she has to get the 7am bus, to get into town, in order to catch her 8am bus to school. Then the reverse happens and she doesn’t get home will gone 5. Purely because of the times plus it’s going to cost us £15 a week!!

ds on the other hand is still at primary school and his school is not in any form of walking distance, nor is there a bus that goes that way. The council has also declined us for transport (which I will appeal) because it’s not the nearest school. I’m aware it isn’t the nearest but he’s in year 6! Am I really supposed to transfer schools for 5 months, fork out for new uniforms, and uproot a child who is on the ECHP and SEN plan at his school? Where they know how to handle him?

It’s a bloody nightmare. He’s been absent the last two days because we genuinely cannot get him to school!!

We are in the process of talking to both schools to see if we can come up with a solution

You can't think of any reason why a house in the same area wasn't at all possible? Especially considering obvious financial issues?

They probably also didn't have any housing association properties in the area and you get what you get so your family doesn't become stuck in temporary accommodation which could be even further away.

Haven't read full thread so sorry if mentioned already, but I would suggest looking at the Turn2Us website and their grants finder to see if you are eligible to apply for any charitable grants. Good luck x

Put lift needed messages up on local pages/notice boards.

In the longer term is there any work either of you can do from home?
Even with health issues, working from home is not out of the question and many people can do some hours a week.

Do you ever intend to work again?

What happened so that the car was affordable and now isn't?

How long are you giving it until the 'take in some ironing' suggestion appears?

OK they don’t make it clear but if your child has SEN needs, it’s the closest school THAT BEST MEETS THEIR NEEDS not the closest by proximity! So I’d go back, find the legislation and quote this to them. In the meantime be proactive, ask for access to learning to be done via home so you are doing all you can. My situation prior was the La failed to put the taxi provision in place or the support necessitated via the adult care act then due to their failure, flipped the script and alleged education neglect. When their father didn’t return them, the school was all over him with support via e learning, something they never offered to me. If I knew then what I know now, then that is one of the options I’d have taken, to go back re the closest school which meets their SEN needs, and demand access to e learning for however long this situation is ongoing.

Im surprised it not already been mentioned that and a lodger!

I can't see how living rurally is an option for anyone in the family longer term.
You will be a long way from health care considering you are both unable to work. How can you attend medical appointment with no transport?
Your children will have a devil of a job getting anywhere to have a social life.
After school activities if they have to rely on buses will be difficult.

There must be some changes you can start making, not least trying to find a way of making some income. I know people who are disabled and can't work who bring in money by doing craft type things- making cards, knitting, selling online, or at local shops like village shops or pubs, or at small craft fairs. Even if you only made £10 a week it would help.

Could they have looked for a private rental. Also there's nothing to stop them seeking to improve the situation by seeking for eg a house swap within their HA to a location that would better suit their family, exploring part time work options that could increase income.

I know OP has mentioned disability but clearly until recently at least one adult in the family was capable of driving, driving 50 miles a day, that in itself is a skill, the OP has the comprehension and understanding to write eloquently and reply to posts, so it's not unreasonable that for eg part time work as a delivery driver or part time work in basic administration working from home could be possible. They are managing to adequately care for 2 children presumably preparing meals, shopping for clothing, doing laundry, assisting them with travel to school. Op has listed out a set of budget figures suggesting an ability to understand finance and budgeting. Is there no job at all for say 10hr a week that either could manage at all?

I work with lots of people with disabilities including autism, lack of mobility /wheelchair use, limb/hand differences, visual impairment, and they all work full time with reasonable adjustments. Is there really no way either adult in this family could add to the family income to improve the very difficult situation they are in?

This

Taking in ironing.....

If you are on pip do you qualify for motorbility?

I dont know the Oo or her family so I can only go on. what she says
But often there is no suitable work for peoole with disabilities.

You trying to be funny or sarcastic but my gran had to do that to make ends meet. Widowed at 38 with 3 kids, and no welfare state then to help. She also washed the clothes first and also had 3 cleaning jobs.

Looking at ways to make money from home when you're broke is not such a terrible idea.

That really only works if A you are good a crafts and knitting etc and B there is a market for the stuff you mske.

Its a suggestion people always mske on here
And times have no doubt changed since your Gran did that.

A private rental risks getting turfed out again when the landlord wants their property back. I can understand why they went for the more secure option.

Yes but why so negative?

I KNOW women who do this- I live rurally- and it doesn't take much ability to make cards to sell at village shops, local pubs, etc.

Anyone who is broke needs to think outside the box a bit and not just assume there is no alterantive.

Especially in a remote area with no car.

It's also unlikely they are going to randomly walk into a WFH job either.

They are skint so shelling out for materials when you dont know wether anyone is going to be interested, is probably not the best idea
.

You buy a cheap banger car

With what fesh air?

@LazySusannes my mother in law makes cards to sell.
She has never made a profit out of it.
Ever.
The OP just needs a bloody car and then she can get on with her life.
Should "society" pay? Actually sometimes think that this is exactly the sort of help some families need.

Thank you to everyone who commented good advice. The CA have told me to contact the schools SENCO and get them to back me up. Currently waiting for a call back from the school.

About working, I would love to be able to find a job I could work from home to do but despite looking, i can’t find anything. I could work part time if I am able to sit down but again, it’s finding the vacancies and someone who would hire me. I’ve only been home a week after an almost two week stay in hospital for an infection in my brain!! I’m still under neuro consult waiting for various appointments, as well as other clinics, so it’s not as easy to just walk into a job.

Yes..where there a will there's a way