Kids in taxis

[CissyCharlton]

DS1 travels from school by a bus laid on by school. Amongst those who get off at his stop are three kids aged 4, 5 and 8. They are met by a taxi (different drivers every day) who then take them home (which is about five miles away). They don't have booster seats and I feel that if I didn't check, sometimes they'd be whizzed off without their seatbelts on. Often the taxi isn't there. I'm not happy and I think I should mention something to the school, but I just want to run it past you lot first.

What happens when the taxi isn't there?

I wait with them.

I've met her but don't know her.

I think you need to let her know that the taxi isn't there sometimes and then mention the seatbelt issue?
Do it in a way where you expect her to be as outraged as you and it will be easier for you and her to deal with

They are dropped off on a main road and often the taxi drivers park on the opposite side of the road. I worry about what would happen if I wasn't there.

Let the school & parents know. They are too young to look after themselves on a busy road.

Are the taxis paid for by the local LEA? My son goes to a unit school about 4 miles from home and is picked up and dropped off daily by different taxis and drivers. All drivers are CRB checked although i did have to threaten calling the police before they started using a booster seat. They bought DS home one day without using one and i went mad. Since then its been fine.

The arrangement is entirely private between the parents and taxi firm. The drivers often looked shocked when they realise what is happening. I think the whole thing puts them in jeopardy as well as the children.

I suppose it depends on the circumstances. Maybe the mother has no other choice.
I think Cissy should talk to the mother first

What do you mean the drivers look shocked? They didn't know who they'd be collecting? How do you know of these private arrangements?

I think that too Kerry but I wondered whether others agreed. The question is whether I tackle the parents first in the manner suggested by birdfancier, or go straight to the school. Either way I think the parents will resent me. They think that this is the perfect solution to their predicament.

The drivers don't know that they are picking up children. All they are told is 'taxi for xxx.'

I know the details of the arrangement because the children's father told me all about it with no hint of concern. I think that is what's led me to question my judgement about this.

I think you should approach the parents first as they are putting you in an awkward position.
What is their predicament exactly?

At the school where I work we have quite a few children who have Social Services involvement and they are often picked up by taxis, arranged by Social Services - private taxis. I think they do have booster seats and are CRB checked though.
How well do you know the family? What are the circumstances? If the arrangements were, tightened up, don't think it's necessarily irresponsible. I wouldn't talk to the school first - unless it's an LEA arranged taxi, they won't have any part / say in this.

I'd speak to the parents, and if they resent you, well so what? you'd have done the right thing. it's not a safe situation.

they need an escort to meet them and take them home in taxi (responsible teenager?).

Both work full-time. That's the thing. I don't like this situation at all but at the same time if this arrangement fell through they say they would be screwed. What I don't understand though is why they don't send their CM who meets the kids at the other end in the taxi to meet them. They say that it would cost them more money but knowing a little about their circumstances I'm sure they could, if they tried, stretch to it.

We have had this situation with the children in our unit. We were told that the taxi firm is not obliged to proivide booster seats and that it is up to the parents to do this. Our kids now bring their booster seats into the school where we store them and then they take them home each night.

As for leaving the kids on the road side- this is outrageous and you need to get the school to complain about this and get onto the children's service who provide the transport.
But never mind these people being CRB checked. Most of them are down right unsuitable to be looking after children. We get more complaints from our parents about transport than anything else.

We have had this situation with the children in our unit. We were told that the taxi firm is not obliged to proivide booster seats and that it is up to the parents to do this. Our kids now bring their booster seats into the school where we store them and then they take them home each night.

As for leaving the kids on the road side- this is outrageous and you need to get the school to complain about this and get onto the children's service who provide the transport.
But never mind these people being CRB checked. Most of them are down right unsuitable to be looking after children. We get more complaints from our parents about transport than anything else.

Sorry everybody, I don't mean to be drip-feeding information in this thread.

taxis are exempt from child seat law. which is handy when you need to get to A&E quick, but not good for regular arrangements.

I have been told that taxis are exempt from the booster seat law. I had the same arguement with nursery who shipped DD1 off to school without a booster in a taxi - it may not be illegal but it is still dangerous.

Where are the parents of these children? If they can't come to collect them, where are the children going home to...an empty house? Makes me realise how lucky my children are.

Cissy - if it wasn't for you something terrible could have happened to these children. I hope their parents appreciate that.