Cant book taxi to pick up ds from school age 14

[cofingalthetime]

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.

I get taxis a lot. I either book online so pick the car size needed, or if i phone they ask how many passengers and a first name. Never been asked for an age.

Just call a different taxi company and tell them hes 16 they're hardly going to ask
for ID

Exactly this!

It really is as simple as calling and asking for a taxi at 3.30pm or whatever outside the school.

No useful advice beyond what's already been given but just wanted to let you know that GDPR has absolutely no relevance to this situation. It would not in any way be a GDPR violation for the school to tell you the names of taxi firms unless they also give you the personal details of the kids who use them (which you are obviously not asking for). Sorry but it makes me absolutely livid to hear about organisations using an important piece of legislation as a feeble excuse because it also undermines the seriousness of it when it is actually relevant as well as being a very transparent lie.

I have used Uber, technically they aren’t meant to but my eldest was only queried once. Booking through the app means it will depend on the driver once they see it’s someone under age. Although my eldest used to say he was sixteen (he was tall). I always left a tip as well!

Please don't send an injured 14yo in an Uber!

What? Your child can't miss school because you have to go to work! You have to get him there, its the law!

This. It's at the drivers discretion really. I wouldn't tell them about the injury upfront. They have people getting in and out of their cars every day with mobility aids. Just oeder it as normal. Very few will refuse the fare once they are there. Failing that get in touch with the attendance officer and explain the issues and how they can assist you.

How do you think if he can't walk to school or even to the bus stop to get the bus because of his injury and because he's on crutches he'd be able to cycle?

Lie about his age.

Or can he cycle?

He is using crutches!

Jesus.

Hear hear. I thought what a load of nonsense that was when I read it!

OP doesn't mention an injury. She just says her DS is on crutches. So I did not make any assumptions (unlike you and other posters).

My DD walks with crutches. She can't walk the mile to school but she can cycle there. So, in answer to your question, it's experience with my own child that made me think that OP's DS might be able to cycle. Can I ask you what made you think he wouldn't be able to?

GDPR my arse! I only have basic knowledge of it for work but ffs. Why do people quote it willy nillly when what they mean is I can't be arsed to help you.

Some crutch users won't be able to cycle, but as we have no information about OP's DS circumstances, it's not an unreasonable suggestion. It may not be possible for him, but it might equally be something he could manage.

Dismissing the idea out of hand based on the same lack of information is unreasonable.

Hasn't he just had 2 birthdays in quick succession and now is a young looking 16?! 😉

"cannot get involved in picking up arrangements and cannot recommend any taxi companies they use due to GDPR"

That's on a par with "cos Covid" being used as an excuse for crappy service.

I would ask them what parts of GDPR they would be breaching if they told you the name of Taxi firms they used.

"Because GDPR" is the most ridiculous answer. You're asking for a service recommendation. Next time someone asks me if I can recommend a hairdresser or a plumber or a builder, am I going to say, "no, because GDPR"

School are being especially unhelpful, it has to be said.

I am surprised you can't find a taxi company. There are a few around here that advertise as being available to take minors places and are DBS checked etc.

How bizarre. As others have said there are usually taxi firms specifically contracted for school runs. My son did a year of taxis age 10 with no issue.

It’s to do with safeguarding for young people. They may have no drivers available with DBS checks etc.
I would do as above and ask the school who they use

I am a foster carer and very often it is impossible for us to drop all the children at school, due to their attendance at different schools in different directions. We have had no trouble at all with getting taxis for much younger children to go to/come home from school. There are certain taxi firms that the local authorities use where, I guess, there are special checks on the drivers, so if you could find out which ones they are in your area. I know in the past we have had several 4 and 5 year olds that we have had for respite that continue to attend their usual school while they are with us, that travel by taxi. One of our current foster children, who attended a school some distance away, went by taxi between the ages of 6 and 11. Never once been a problem. Good luck.

Bizarre to claim GDPR is preventing them telling you!
The only thing I could think that might make it relevant is if they had to look up a particular child's file to find the name of their taxi company, and there was no reason for them to be looking at that file otherwise or something, but even that's a stretch!

I've known pupils on crutches getting taxis before too, around at 14.

Maybe you can order it on the app for the school, and then he can just go out and get it and hopefully at that point the driver will see that he's fine, just can't walk far.

Now that would be impressive.

Don't tell this his age, they don't need to know he's 14.

Why was he late for school? It is not clear from your post but if does make me wonder if the school has wider concerns about his attendance.

Can you tell the taxi company he is 16 and in his GCSE year? Or order the taxi for a few doors down from school and he can wait outside that house for it?