Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cant book taxi to pick up ds from school age 14

64 replies

cofingalthetime · 30/11/2022 10:54

So I obviously didn't think this through properly - ds is on crutches and has been missing school unless I am on a wfh day. School suggested a taxi. So today I dropped him to school on my way in - was a bit late, but was ok - and just rang a taxi to collect him but they said they can't take him as he is underage. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do? I guess I'll have to leave work to get him...

I know children do get dropped to and from school in taxis, does anyone know a way round this.

OP posts:
Eleusa · 30/11/2022 10:56

Try a different taxi company. Most round here will take kids from 13.

MRSDoos · 30/11/2022 10:56

I haven’t heard of 14 year old being too young for a taxi alone but maybe things have changed. Some of my friends parents put them in taxi’s when I was at secondary school.

Does he have any local friends that do not live too far from you that won’t mind helping out a few times and giving him a lift?

AmberGer · 30/11/2022 10:58

My ds used taxi's unaccompanied from around age 12. Try another company.

CountryCatLady · 30/11/2022 10:58

I would speak to the school or LA. Most kids getting taxis to/from school will be done through a LA contract, which the LA pays for.

So although you probably won't qualify for free taxis, they should give you the info of some companies that will provide the service.

Depending on where you are though, it might be difficult to get a taxi for him. Around my area, there are limited taxi companies, and most have already commited to the LA to provide most if not all of their vehicles to school runs.

fancyacuppatea · 30/11/2022 10:58

Email the school and ask if they have any suggestions of local Taxi firms that could do pick-ups as your normal one is being a PITA.

frenchnoodle · 30/11/2022 10:58

It will be a rule for that particular taxi company, phone around a few more.

AdoraBell · 30/11/2022 10:58

Try a different Company.

Skiphopbump · 30/11/2022 10:59

I agree with trying a different taxi firm. You could also trying calling your local council school transport department to find out which firms they use.

AdoraBell · 30/11/2022 10:59

Or ask the school which company they use/recommend.

AdoraBell · 30/11/2022 11:00

X post with Skiphopjump

SinnerBoy · 30/11/2022 11:17

There are companies which cater for kids who come from chaotic homes etc. Where I am, you have to contact the council (North Tyneside). They usually have to have a social services order, I looked into this last year, as I work away at sea and my wife has 3am starts. In the end, she stayed at her sister's house, walking distance from her workplace and brother in law would drive her the ten miles to school.

The council wouldn't agree to us using the taxi service, even though I offered to pay in full.

DenholmElliot11 · 30/11/2022 11:25

Could you ask someone who has a child at the school and lives nearby if they could help. Maybe put a shout out on your local facebook page.

Original poster
cofingalthetime · 30/11/2022 12:04

Just an update in case anyone thinks of doing this - I rang the school and they said they "cannot get involved in picking up arrangments and cannot recommend any taxi companies they use due to GDPR"
Rang a load more taxis and all said no.
Trying to get hold of my dd as she's over 16, but she's in college so I'm not sure. If she doesnt reply I guess I'll have to leave work early!
I wouldn't mind, but it was the SCHOOL who have been on at me, threatening me with legal action if I don't bring ds to school, even though I explained about work etc, and it being too far for him to walk to even the bus stop. So they said to me 'use a taxi' or a family member - no family nearby, and we don't know anyone who lives down our way.

OP posts:
TakeYourFinalPosition · 30/11/2022 12:06

I wonder if it’s because of the injury, rather than his age?

I used to get taxis to and from school from 11 by myself, and I know of a few children who do the same.

Or maybe it’s a weird regional thing!

BadgerLovesMash · 30/11/2022 12:10

Could you use an uber? It surprises me taxis wouldn't take a teenager.

Does he have any friends nearby who's house he could go to until you finish work? Or is there afterschool club/library he could go to until you finish?

TheChosenTwo · 30/11/2022 12:11

In the school I recently left our family support officer occasionally did pick ups/drop offs in these circumstances. It’s obviously not advertised as a service but if someone contacted the school because of a situation quite specific like yours the school would absolutely do their best to get the child in. Aside from anything else, they want the attendance figures to remain as high as possible.
it’s a bit of a pita as it should require 2 adults in the car in the interest of safeguarding but you might have some success in contacting the school directly. They at least should be able to offer some signposting to a suitable alternative if they themselves can’t do it.

DenholmElliot11 · 30/11/2022 12:12

Can't he manage the bus? How is he mobilising around the school? If he can move around school then he should be able to get to the bus stop then it's just a case of picking him up from there.

TheChosenTwo · 30/11/2022 12:13

Sorry, think I x-posted with you about contacting the school.
For all its faults the staff at the place I used to work at were regularly hailed as going above and beyond, maybe this was the one of the reasons.

Spiderboy · 30/11/2022 12:14

I understand it seems like a difficult situation but it isn’t for the school to solve. Their priority is your child’s education, not your job. Ask around - I think it is really unusual for every taxi firm you’ve called to not take someone his age. Taxis commonly do school runs

sheepdogdelight · 30/11/2022 12:15

Are they temporary crutches? If so, aren't there any other parents that live vaguely in your direction that could give him a lift if it's only for a short term.

If they are non-temporary crutches, I unfortunately think you may have to re-organise your work hours and/or get creative with public transport. Or can he cycle?

FancyANewID · 30/11/2022 12:19

What exactly are you saying to the taxi firms for them ALL to decline the job?

It sounds like you must be stressing the fact that he's a child or that he's injured which makes it sound like a whole messy situation with risk all over it.

Just call a firm and order a taxi from x to x for [sons name]. Don't mention his age or his crutches - at 14, why would you?

He then gets in taxi, sorted.

Are you asking them to assist him or take responsibility for him or something? I just don't understand the problem.

Comefromaway · 30/11/2022 12:20

My daughter called her own taxis to and from school from about the age of 13-14. She ordered them on an app.

Try Uber

Bluevelvetsofa · 30/11/2022 12:28

Is there a club or homework club he can go to after school, until you finish work?

SkylightSkylight · 30/11/2022 12:28

Spiderboy · 30/11/2022 12:14

I understand it seems like a difficult situation but it isn’t for the school to solve. Their priority is your child’s education, not your job. Ask around - I think it is really unusual for every taxi firm you’ve called to not take someone his age. Taxis commonly do school runs

Yes, they do, but mostly through a company via the council, they are DBS checked and have a school driver permit (well, in the 4 councils surrounding me).

Drivers here 'can' take a child alone at any age, it's the parents responsibility to check the driver out, DBS if they want to etc. HOWEVER, a lot of them are too wary of being accused of something that they choose not to.

it's a minefield.

@cofingalthetime It's unusual you're coming up against so many saying no because if his age?! A lot of the drivers happy to do school runs will already be doing a school run, there's a massive shortage (where we are anyway) of school run drivers.

Try to find out if any kids at your sons school are getting a taxi, you might be able to share for the short time DS will be needing one.

best of luck

SkylightSkylight · 30/11/2022 12:30

Comefromaway · 30/11/2022 12:20

My daughter called her own taxis to and from school from about the age of 13-14. She ordered them on an app.

Try Uber

Jesus, you let your 13yo get an Uber by herself?

Swipe left for the next trending thread