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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:
Nicpem1982 · 22/08/2018 09:08

The law support that pre 16 is statutory duty post 16 is not.

The place is there for the young person to utilise

Pengggwn · 22/08/2018 09:09

Nicpem1982

I'm not sure what you think would hold up in court. He has to go to the special school because the usual school - which he would be able to get to for significantly less - can't meet his needs.

Council budgets are past breaking point so this is probably just a cut, but I suspect the implications are discriminatory.

RainySeptember · 22/08/2018 09:09

"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?"

If the younger NT pupils currently on the bus will ultimately be paying the same fee as OP's child when they enter sixth form education, then there's no discrimination.

The £10 option is a different bus going to a different college.

The council have no real responsibility to get any child anywhere post 16 government guidance here

I'm not defending it, it impacts me too.

Pengggwn · 22/08/2018 09:10

He basis is nit a miracle cure, but because he can leave school.

But the implications of that statement are these: because the LA will no longer fund his transport, he may have no option other than to leave school. How is that not discrimination?

GrumpyOldMare · 22/08/2018 09:10

Have you looked into A Diamond Travel Card or whatever it's called in your area? My 21yr old son is autistic and have one with the companion element. It gives him (and me if I'm with him) free bus travel. Might be worth looking on your council website.

Nicpem1982 · 22/08/2018 09:15

Peng- most Las have pulled post 16 sen transport completely and been challenged and its made no difference transport is not statutory for post 16 there is no obligation for the la to provide it free of charge

eggsandwich · 22/08/2018 09:17

My ds has his contributions for transport paid out of his school bursary fund, when he was old enough we applied for esa which he got after 9 months this then allowed us to apply for the guaranteed bursary at his school which works out at £1200 a school year and out of that the school pay his transport cost which we would otherwise have to cover and what’s left goes towards other costs such as trips out etc.

fairgame84 · 22/08/2018 09:25

The transport guidelines have not caught up with the guidelines that kids have to be in education post 16. It's crap.
DS travels 45 miles each way to his special school, his taxi costs £26k per year and I won't be able to afford that so he will have to go elsewhere post 16 unless the rules change in the next 3 years. It's shit. He loves his school.

lovelyupnorth · 22/08/2018 09:30

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Guienne · 22/08/2018 09:32

The law support that pre 16 is statutory duty post 16 is not.

Completely untrue, Nicpem. Have a look at section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and tell me where it says that that duty doesn't apply post 16.

Guienne · 22/08/2018 09:34

He basis is nit a miracle cure, but because he can leave school.

He can't leave school. By law he has to have the provision in his EHCP, and that is only available at the special school.

senmumoftom · 22/08/2018 09:37

Does your child receive ESA yet ? Employment support allowance that is. He us entitled to receive it if he is still in school because of his SEN. You can apply through a jobcentre or use his social worker if he has one or ( ideally) the parent support worker at his school will be aware of this. And if they aren't what a lovely windfall to all the over 16 SEN kids in that school.

In my experience with my son the jobcentre were less than helpful but I persisted.

It is not paid with any regard to the household income, it is the 16 yr olds money. It is a godsend to pay bills like this one. I am sure a hundred people will tell you why you can't apply and why he isn't eligible but he is and you will be able to get it.

As usual it is a 60 page form but whatever.

Storminateapot · 22/08/2018 09:37

Same here and I've got to do it for twins! I live very rurally, nearest 6th form is 7 miles away down either a busy, winding A road or very winding narrow lanes, neither of which is safe to cycle along.

Not even entitled to LEA subsidised transport because the college (which doesn't offer the A levels they want) is technically 200 yards closer as the crow flies (but not by road, school & college use the same bus & pick-up drop-off at the same stops, so the distance of the educational establishment is irrelevant.) I've actually worked out that discounted young people's transport on the same bus service as the LEA use works out slightly cheaper than their so-called 'subsidised' rate anyway and I can pay £40 a time rather than have to find a whole term up front.

However, with eldest off to uni and 2 needing money found for transport to school DH and I are seriously having to tighten our already tight belts for the next few years.

Suffolk have completely screwed over their rural population and in a rural county that's a lot of people.

MaisyPops · 22/08/2018 09:38

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FatCow2018 · 22/08/2018 09:43

Yes PP are right, this is the same for every child post 16, not just those wuth SEN. Its not great but it's got to be done. I'll have 3 of them at £300 a term, wonderful! 😂😂

OneInEight · 22/08/2018 09:43

Is this rule immediately after the child turns sixteen (like DLA stopping) or not until year 12. Just wondering if I have a nasty bill imminently arriving?

FatCow2018 · 22/08/2018 09:43

£300 each that should say!

IceBearRocks · 22/08/2018 09:43

@Clairetree1...just giggling to myself thinking of all the children at my DS's SEN school walking to school 3 miles. They can't even get from the classroom to assembly with guidance!!!!
Your experience is just that ..... Your experience!!
My other DS has HF ASD but still couldn't walk 3 miles to school....we don't have pavements here and the speed limit is 60 on a none paved road,!!!
Use your DLA comments ...do you not think that's already being used or do you think we pop it in the bank for expensive jewelry and caviar !!!

jarhead123 · 22/08/2018 09:44

£25 isn't bad when you think he has had free transport for 10 years already. I'd just suck it up and pay it

FatCow2018 · 22/08/2018 09:44

From start of year 12 I believe.

danni0509 · 22/08/2018 09:46

He hasn't had free transport for 10 years, only 2 months if you read down thread.

Sleepyblueocean · 22/08/2018 09:46

"If the younger NT pupils currently on the bus will ultimately be paying the same fee as OP's child when they enter sixth form education, then there's no discrimination."

There aren't any NT children on the bus. It is a special school.

MNHQ
HopeMumsnet · 22/08/2018 09:49

Morning everyone,
Just to say, we have deleted several posts on this thread for disablism, for being unsupportive, goady and not in the spirit of the site, and we will be having a word with some of the most-deleted posters.

Sleepyblueocean · 22/08/2018 09:49

jarhead123 all under 16s get free transport to their nearest suitable school if it is not a walkable distance. The OP didn't get anything extra.

KnotsInMay · 22/08/2018 09:51

The point is, that SEN is different.

My post 16 child may be able to consider cycling, walking, etc. I may be able to reconsider my (theoretical) rural lifestyle that I might have had a choice over when I moved in, knowing the school / public transport issues.

A parent with a disabled child has most likely already compromised their earning power, having no choice, be living in an area with nearby mainstream schools and a good range of public transport: all of which are inaccessible to their disabled child.

Special Schools are fewer and likely to be a long distance from home.

The situation of those of you with NT post-16s is not the point.