To be pissed off with transport for my SEN child?

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Urgh. We live 2 miles from SEN autism school. DS14 has been there for 4 years and DH gave up work to look after him when mainstream failed him and he was at home for 2 years. He's doing really well at school now and really thriving. DH really wants to go back to work (and we REALLY need the money). He has been offered a job for September.

• School transport refused as we live too close. They feel it's appropriate to expect a parent to take him to school and that's not disability discrimination (most 14yos don't have a parent walk them to school). Appeal done and refused.
• can't pay for school taxi as it's not a guaranteed place and they don't accept applications until after October half term
• can't pay for a private taxi as all the DBS drivers are doing LEA runs.
• DS can't walk alone the 4 mile round trip as it's a main road, he's autistic, sensory averse, highly anxious and a flight risk
• DS can't get the bus alone as it's too cognitively complex (plus anxious / sensory) and involves crossing 2 major roads.

DS is ok in the house for an hour ish pre and post school. He's pretty good / safe in the house. Would be fine getting dressed and waiting for taxi / waiting for me to get home 30 mins after drop off.

But out the house alone - total disaster.

What do we do??

Comparing a teenager who chose a specific college course to a disabled teenager who has a legal right to access education (including transport) is downright offensive.

It isn’t necessarily possible to work nights with a disabled child- it very much depends on their needs.

If you have one who needs care in the night then you end up with one parent who works nights and sleeps all day, fair enough, lots of people do. The other parent however works all day, then can’t sleep sufficiently in the night because someone has to be awake with the disabled person.

If you have 2 parents in the house overnight this can be shared and each gets some sleep, if not then you are in the territory of one parent possibly sleeping an hour here or there until they conk out or looking for overnight carers (the cost of which would likely make it unviable for the night worker to work).

If you actually read the statutory guidance you asked me if I had read, ‘reasonable’ (and reasonably) is actually used in there. It means reasonable and reasonably in the legal sense. Hence me using the word.

It is not unfair to suggest a pre-action letter is the remedy in this situation. Unfortunately, parents of DC with SEN (including me) are well used to needing to enforce DC’s rights because, sadly, DC whose parents know the law and enforce DC’s rights get better support. It shouldn’t be that way, but isn’t going to change in the foreseeable future.

@allowstatistical we all must do what we need to for our children whatever their particular needs are. That’s a parents job. Not the councils.

Except the law says otherwise. If you disagree take it up with the government.

This thread is so depressing and frustrating to read. So many people just wilfully (seems like) refusing to understand the OP’s point of view or situation and comparing this situation to parenting a NT, non disabled teenager. Talking about wraparound care. For a teenager. In an SEN setting. As if it’s a given. Sure, that’s a thing 🙄

OP, I really hope you manage to successfully appeal this decision.

I was saying that is what it is like in mainstream. My DC can't make use of them because of her SEN. However my nephew is in special school and they do have some limited after school clubs.

I wasn't suggesting it was the same as a child in mainstream going to chess club. However, the OP says that her DC is able to manage on his own at home. Therefore it is possible that he could attend a club if any are available.

Just a note once they are 16 and get PIP the money doesn't have to go to them. You can apply to continue managing their claim. It works the same way as when you get DLA for them under 16.

Same. I went on maternity leave when my disabled son was 6. I just never went back. With another child and all the meetings, appointments regular school pick ups and drop offs due to behaviour etc it just wasn’t feasible to return. Hes 25 now and I still haven’t gone back!

Someone has posted their DC's Special school has breakfast club. My nephew's has after school club. They may not be common by they do exist and worth checking.

And I do understand about taking a secondary age Dc to school as I have to with my own DC. They are able to access breakfast/after school club due to their SEN. I also have to transport my college age DC due to SEN. So yes, I do understand about never being able to wave them off at the front door as they take that step towards independence.

They are not able to access breakfast etc I meant

I think the Op would Know if her child's special school has an after school club ,don't you ?
And no they are not common at all ime.

This thread is a great example of
why you cannot expect parents of children with special needs to work normal patterns. It’s just not possible. The barriers are too great. All the people who are usually thinking tax payers money is wasted on supporting parents of disabled/LD children being unemployed should read this and see how hard it is to work.
I really feel for you OP, I can’t see how both parents can work full time in your particular jobs, it seems impossible to be able to care for your son.

Where did I say they were common?? I just thought it was worth checking out. No need to bite my head off for just making a suggestion, fgs!!

Helpful info. Unfortunately this kid is two miles away so the distance for taxi is still as issue.

If the child has SN, the walking distance does not apply. It should be irrelevant unless the child doesn't have disabilities.

Is it because you have a car which is funded through mobility? So they are saying they have effectively already funded his transport? I don't think that can be taken into account.

Because of course there are breakfast clubs and afterschool clubs for 14 years olds with special needs! Some people have no idea!!!