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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be OUTRAGED at the cost of this school transport?

209 replies

FidgetyFingers · 21/08/2018 21:26

DS attends a Special School which requires him to use a LA provided school bus as it is too far for him to reach alone (SEN and 3 mile distance ) and he cannot be dropped off due to logistics (other DC need to be in a different place at same time, only have one car which is needed for DH to work).

Up until age 16 it is provided free but as 16-18 years apparently don't legally have to continue in education, the LA will not provide free transport so expect us to pay a 'contribution' of £25 per week! If I can't magic up £300 for the first term in advance, he won't be picked up! This is on top of all the normal back to school outgoings.

Considering a weekly unlimited bus ticket is £10 a week if he was going to college like his brother, AIBU to think this is extortionate?

I asked the LA to explain how they expect parents of SN children to have a greater income just because they have turned 16 and they couldn't explain other than to state 'policy'.

OP posts:
Sleepyblueocean · 22/08/2018 07:45

He shouldn't be paying any more than children without sen and he clearly is. That can certainly be challenged.

RainySeptember · 22/08/2018 08:02

"He shouldn't be paying any more than children without sen and he clearly is. That can certainly be challenged."

I'm not sure he is paying more than children without sen. His younger siblings are on the same bus FOC because they are still in compulsory education, and another sibling gets unlimited weekly travel for £10 on a public bus that takes him to a different college.

Guienne · 22/08/2018 08:08

OP doesn't have to find other options to get around logistics issues. The LA has a statutory duty to ensure that her son receives the support set out in his EHCP. He won't receive that support unless he is at school. Therefore they have to get him to the school, unless they want to set up something like home tuition which would probably be more expensive. The problem needs to be put straight back on their doorstep.

meadowmeow · 22/08/2018 08:09

If the child is legally required to be in education, work or training, and cannot attend a school closer to home because of his needs, the cost of transport should be covered, as nothing, to me, seems to be different about the situation than when it was covered, if that makes sense.

But lots of 16-18 year olds have to pay to travel to school/college and they pay too, irrespective of additional needs.

Nicpem1982 · 22/08/2018 08:14

OP doesn't have to find other options to get around logistics issues. The LA has a statutory duty to ensure that her son receives the support set out in his EHCP. He won't receive that support unless he is at school.

There is a place for him at school that is maintained by the la that's the statutory duty transport will not be named in his ehcp the la does not have a statutory duty to provide this for post 16.

KnotsInMay · 22/08/2018 08:19

Clairtree1, suggesting that a child who is disabled to the level of being in Special School with attendant transport provision walk 3 miles to and from school each day is not the same as suggesting a lift share.

OP: YANBU. And honestly, I think AIBU is not the place for SEN subjects.

Clairetree1 · 22/08/2018 08:21

Clairtree1, suggesting that a child who is disabled to the level of being in Special School with attendant transport provision walk 3 miles to and from school each day is not the same as suggesting a lift share.

firstly I suggested both, and secondly I know many students at special schools who walk similar distances

Sleepyblueocean · 22/08/2018 08:34

I don't know any who walk 3 miles to special school and I know many who go to special school.
I don't know any children at mainstream schools who do it on a regular basis since 3 miles means they are eligible for free transport until age 16 and none of the 6th formers I know walk that far either.

danni0509 · 22/08/2018 08:35

Clairetree you say that you know plenty of special needs children that walk to school alone, are they at special school more for behavioural issues not learning disabilities?

A 16 year old in a special school for behavioural problems opposed to a 16 year old at special school for learning disabilities are 2 different things.

Pengggwn · 22/08/2018 08:39

meadowmeow

Yes, but they have more options for school attendance. The OP's child has to go to this school in order for the LA to meet their legal obligations to educate him.

Sleepyblueocean · 22/08/2018 08:39

RainySeptember if a young person without sen is able to access post 16 education for £1O a week, why should a young person who cannot access this have to pay more?

Where I live there is a £100 a term bus pass for 16-19 students. Those on special school transport pay no more than this.

Clairetree1 · 22/08/2018 08:40

The school i worked at was ASD an MLD. Some of the children could walk that distance unsupervised, some couldn't. some benefited hugely from it.

Guienne · 22/08/2018 08:40

Nicpem, the point is that the LA cannot meet its statutory duty to provide special educational provision unless the child can get to school. If he can't get there, the LA is absolutely not entitled to shrug its shoulders and leave him high and dry.

Nicpem1982 · 22/08/2018 08:43

They're providing the place it's parental responsibility to get him there

Racecardriver · 22/08/2018 08:43

This reply has been deleted

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Guienne · 22/08/2018 08:44

Clairetree, if OP's son has had transport up till now, obviously someone has assessed that his disability is such that he needs it. On what basis would you assume that he has had a miracle cure within the last month so that he no longer does?

Guienne · 22/08/2018 08:46

Racecard, what an utterly insensitive, stupid post. Does OP have to "take responsibility" for being so inconsiderate as to have a disabled child?

Clairetree1 · 22/08/2018 08:46

I don't know any children at mainstream schools who do it on a regular basis since 3 miles means they are eligible for free transport until age 16 and none of the 6th formers I know walk that far either.

this is very sad, because it can be a hugely beneficial and enjoyable part of the daily routine.

My DC have free transport, but have always preferred to walk, but then I am a walker myself, and always have been. One DC walked 3 miles to school, and one 4 miles, and many of their friends have too, and now are continuing to do so to and from summer work, it is a mentally and physically healthy thing to do, and often sociable as well, if anyone is going the same way.

It was normal when I was at school myself. Unfortunately, there has been a cultural shift away from walking to school, to the detriment of both children's health, and the environment.

We camped a few weeks go, and both DC, now 17 and 19 planned out and enjoyed walks of 15 miles with me. One has ASD and MLD. The other has no SEND

Ski4130 · 22/08/2018 08:49

We pay £600 a year for the school bus for DS1, and now DS2, shortly to be followed by DD. That'll be £1800 a year for them to get the bus to school. It sucks.

Ski4130 · 22/08/2018 08:51

Just to add, that's for a Yr 9 and Yr 7 child, not sure why people think school buses are free?!

Pengggwn · 22/08/2018 08:52

So, would the LA be within its rights to offer him a place 10 miles away? Twenty? Where do we draw the line and say, well, they've provided the place? Obviously if the boy needed assistance to get there last year, he needs it this year.

Nicpem1982 · 22/08/2018 09:03

Peng- obviously they need support to get there but it's not the la's job to provide it free of charge, the contribution that is being asked for annually I would bet wouldnt even corner the transport that is required for a month. It is an optional service that the la are offering it's up to the op if she feels she wants to take it up.

runningkeenster · 22/08/2018 09:04

He shouldn't be paying any more than children without sen and he clearly is. That can certainly be challenged

Where I live there is no post 16 provision so everyone has to go elsewhere (nothing is closer than 5 miles away) and every summer there are loads of posts from parents moaning about the cost. We live in an affluent area so it annoys me a bit, they can afford their expensive cars and holidays but moan about the bus fare of say £600 for the year for their kids. However, it is annoying there is no local provision. In our case I don't think you could say that an SN teen was being disadvantaged because everyone has to pay regardless.

But in the OP's case it might well be the case that a NT child would pay far less and that's what has to be challenged. At the very least, if it say costs £10 a week for a NT child and £25 for a SEN child, the OP should only be paying £10 a week too and the LA should pick up the difference of £15.

Guienne · 22/08/2018 09:06

Nicdem, how do you account for the fact that it's the LA's job to get disabled children under 16 to school free of charge? And how do you suggest the meet their statutory duties under the EHCP unless they get them to school?

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 22/08/2018 09:06

"if OP's son has had transport up till now, obviously someone has assessed that his disability is such that he needs it. On what basis would you assume that he has had a miracle cure within the last month so that he no longer does?"

He basis is nit a miracle cure, but because he can leave school. Travel for sixth form (or equivalent) is rarely if ever funded these days.

Guienne gives good advice about the route to take to get the ECHP fulfilled (assuming it does cover these years)