School Transport (SEN) issues

[OctoberBirthday1110]

My child is on a contracted taxi with an escort to accompany him to and from his special school.

I just need to know if the escorts have all the regular police clearance checks to work with children? (I'm assuming they do) and whether they have any experience or training to work with children with additional needs? (I'm assuming they don't).

Since the contract started in September I've had a few concerns (interior of the taxi is FILTHY) and the escort appeared snappy in general.

Today, my little one (he's 8 and non verbal, developmental age of a 2 year old) took a while to get on his seat (I was there encouraging him) as he was distracted.
The woman suddenly snapped "Bloody hell!! Just get on your seat!!".

I kept my mouth shut but felt so upset for my child. He wasn't being deliberately difficult.

I appreciate she may have been having a bad morning (so was I) but surely there is never an excuse for speaking to a child like that?
It wouldn't be acceptable for school staff to say that would it?

She's been snappy and impatient from day one and seems to hate her job. No cheery Hello and she doesn't engage with my child (other than snapping at him).
I just don't feel comfortable sending him with her, (I don't know what she's like when she's alone with him and my child can't tell me as he can't talk.) but unfortunately I'm not in a position to take him myself as I have another child to take to a mainstream school at the same time.

Am I being unreasonable to make an issue of it?

contact home school transport at the council. I found them very helpful when I had problems.
I would not be happy with an escort speaking to my child like that.

Nope. YANBU. Make a complaint about the things you mention. If this sort of thing goes on in ear shot what on earth happens during the journey/ the other end.

I have had many issues with my child and ASN transport. I have reported them every time. They will be checked and should be having ongoing training. Contact taxi contracts at your council and they will have to tell you what suitable training the driver and escort have had.

I agree with Samcro.

Definitely speak to the people in charge of transport at the council. No one should be speaking to your child like that.

Absolutely contact school transport, my Mum was an SN escort for over 20 years and what you've described sounds awful to me!

The escort and driver should be CRB checked and I know my Mum went on regular compulsory training days.

Definitely speak to transport ASAP!

YANBU. That was very unkind and unhelpful of the driver. It can only have added more stress. I'm not sure whether I'd speak to the cab firm or the council transport team (as they are responsible for the service).

x-posted with everyone else!

Our escorts have to be checked but no training given. They are usually someone who knows a taxi driver who gets them an 'in' and then the PVG is done. That's it. They are then free to escort children. I personally think it's ridiculous. My DC used to travel in a taxi without an escort and the drivers were so rude. Never spoke to me of a morning let alone my DC. I took over transport myself after that; I didn't feel the taxi beneficial to anyone.

You need to report this. My DS has been using the council provided transport to and from his SEN school for approx. 5 years. He has had the same escort all that time, and she is wonderful. The first driver was great (it's a minibus as there's about 6 DC in total) , and the 2nd was ok, but then the council changed to a different provider, and the driver was awful. He was rude, always moaning, would talk over the escort when she was trying to tell me about any issues with my DS, and even had a go at her once in a very angry passive-aggressive way. It really bothered me, so I rang the council and spoke to the transport dept. They were great and took me seriously: not long after the driver was replaced and the one we have now is great. My DC is also non-verbal and the thought of him being verbally abused and not being able to defend himself is really horrendous. Speak to the council - they will want to know about this sort of thing. Ask any questions you may have about the escorts, how they find them, any training, checks, etc. There are loads of escorts that deal with my DS's school and most of them seem to be pretty on the ball re. SEN children - not sure whether that's just through experience, though.

I agree, my daughter is in the same position as you, she has a taxi to take her to her special school. Absolutely contact the home school transport department at your local Council. That is unacceptable. I woulden't be fussed about the interior of the taxi, unless it was extremely dirty and presented a bio hazard. But the way your poor son was spoken too was awful.