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

But they hsve bad credit and are skint so thats not likely is it?

It’s really important that you keep both schools updated with your circumstances. They should be sympathetic and understanding. They should also be able to look into what help they can find for you.

Have you tried Car Finance 247? I once enquired when my credit was bad (just couldn't get it anywhere/not enough history - no other reason) and I was approved for a decent amount and payments would have been reasonable. They accept people on benefits too. I didn't go through with it at the time as I was just curious but I've always kept them in mind. I did also speak to them on the phone a few times and they were very helpful and not judgemental due to my circumstances.

Disabilities can range from mild to profound some people can work with them others can't ,you bring able to work is if no relevance.

Sorry, that sounds so stressful. It could be worth a post on money saving expert re: finances. Can you get a mobility scheme car as you have PIP - maybe when your DH's comes through which may ease finances? I know that means sacrificing PIP but would be a reliable car with a set fee and includes insurance, MOT, services etc and would be offset against the cost of buses/taxis etc. It sounds like you might have some debt (hence loan being a no go) and a debt management plan could help?

It sounds like you are quite set upon staying where you are, but it is very rural and I can't see that there's any benefit to the children. Can you re-think that aspect for the longer term?

Will your husband be finding other work (if he's only just been signed off) or are you expecting that neither of you can work long-term?

You can only get a mobility car if you have HRM mobility on either PIP or DLA both of which are very hard to get.

Hopefully you will win the appeal considering your son's school is named on his EHCP and the council will provide transport.

The only other option I can think of is if either you, DH or your son get high rate mobility is to get a motability car but even that may be unaffordable because you lose some PIP or DLA and you have to pay the deposit yourself.

Let alone the children, for your own freedom and sanity and living life I think you need to explore getting a banger.

It’s not sustainable because said banger will break at some point but for now you only need £500 or so.

You have written all your posts perfectly eloquently. Is working in a remote admin role really not possible?

What was your husbands job?

Clear out the loft, wardrobes of any old stuff - - eBay, vinted etc.

Actually google EVERYTHING before you put it in the bin. Even Empty iPhone boxes go for £20, even empty loo roll cartons can be collected. Honestly you would be amazed what people buy.

I am sure you have a few gems which you thought were rubbish. Old toys sell incredibly well!

Yes but since then the OP has moved house, further from the school. There has to be point at which the LA can no longer be held responsible for getting children to school

It doesn't sound like they moved there out of choice.

OP didn't exactly move by choice though. Her landlord wanted their house back.

Can you and H have a think about either him or you working in some capacity? Instead of just thinking that applying for more benefits is the only option.

Say for example he was signed off for mental health reasons but us physically able could he see if there are housekeeping Airbnb jobs or if he was signed off physically look at earning money (it’s not much) doing surveys all day online, you might between you get enough to cover son’s taxi to and from school.

Have you contacted a taxi firm to see how much a regular taxi would cost?

Does he have a friend closer to you than the school that a taxi could go there to and he does the rest of the journey with friend’s family? Just as a stop gap.

Are there any helping hands groups locally who might be able to offer some lifts? Then do a mix of favours with friends, helping hands and taxis?

Im not sure that's wise very cheap cars are cheap for a reason,
Even if she was able to cobble together £500 or whatever ,the car might only last a few weeks/ months.

If OP does not feel this is an option for her family, that's OK, but unfortunately it sounds like the outcome is her younger DC will be unable to go to school, at least for a while. For me, personally, that would not be an option and I'd make it work

@prh47bridge is very knowledgeable and I’d follow that advice.

This sounds very hard and stressful for you all. Definitely speak to CAB, get all the help they can offer both with the query about schools but also with benefits and debts (sorry to assume you have debts but you talked about bad credit rating). They would also advise on any grants you might be able to get from charities or support bodies, these might be related to conditions any of you have or to jobs you did. Do you have a credit union in your area? If so look at that for a loan for the car.
If you are in a housing association property then I can see why you don’t want to move as it is relatively secure. Could you use this to argue for a closer school for your daughter?

@Needmorelego Yes I read that, but it doesn’t change the reality of it does it? Perhaps at that point the OP could have looked again at closer schools, the daily school runs must have been costing them a fair amount in fuel and time and car wear and tear.

I just don’t think you can expect the LA to investigate the minutia of every family they deal with to see who has mitigating circumstances. They have to keep it fair and apply the same rules for everyone.

You simply live too far away from the schools. And are now without a car shich was really essential for the school run. I don't think there is an easy solution. Beyond things already suggested by others theres nothing else.

@Soubriquet

Just wanted to ask again. Have you applied for temporary travel assistance due to parental illness/disability as this is more likely to be approved, especially if your DH is only recently signed off. 5 months to July would count as temporary.

You could pay another parent to do the school run for you. Not necessarily with cash, offer to do something for them in return. My Mum used to look after a neighbour's kids on a Saturday morning, and that neighbour took us to school in return

I don’t live particularly rural - east Anglia.

but there is a massive shortage of secondary places near me and every year on offer day there are stories in the papers of kids who have a 20 mile journey to their secondary because the one in their town was full so they have to go to the next town over.

it’s really bad at the moment.

Didn’t see this. It’s something for me to look into. Thank you

Which would probably be the solution if her son didn't have an EHCP and those schools were likely not named on his EHCP for good reason. Schools further away aren't named on EHCP's for fun.

OP has appealed for transport so we'll see what happens but considering she moved through no fault of her own and her son has an EHCP with the school named, I'd be surprised if she doesn't win the appeal.

To be honest it sounds to me like you as a family need to make some big changes in your life. It sounds like you live quite rurally if the only secondary school your child could be placed in was 25 miles away.

As both you and your husband are disabled and unable to work or afford transport (and if neither of you can work to improve finances this is not going to change) surely you need to thing long term about a move to a reasonably sized town where you will have access to the sort of services you need? Like transport, medical and therapeutic services etc.

I know this seems overwhelming but you need to consider your long term situation as you are only going to keep having these sorts of problems if you are choosing to live in a location that just doesn't work for your families needs, and finances.