To be really really pissed off with my Son's Bus drivers and the parent?

[PinkChaires]

Background- DS is 10 and is profoundly disabled- autistic with global developmental delay, never a word spoken, understanding of maybe an 18 -24 month old. Is violent towards himself but never others. Makes stimming 'Ahhhhhh' sounds which are yes very loud.

He has a new bus this year to get to school and the driver and the lady who helps have been really disrespectful. They constantly complain about his noises but honestly what do they expect with special needs kids? His special interest and the thing that calms his is being in a car/bus so the long bus ride is really enjoyable for him. He didn't want to get off one day and on the bus ride home both the driver and the lady were being quite rude going on and on about how they were late to get home/ to second job. But again I believe this should be expected when taking a job which involves special needs? Also, when i collect him from the bus they always say 'hurry hurry hurry'- i come literally the second they honk the horn!

Separate issue- school is divided into different sections for kids who are high functioning/low functioning. DS has violent loud tantrum where he hits himself. A parent whos child is high functioning has messaged me on class dojo complaining that ' my son move to this school so that he could get away from the busyness and noises of mainstream but yours is ruining it for him' im really annoyed- i think she should have expected there would be kids with a higher need than her sons?

My daughter had school transport throughout her time in special school and now has a similar arrangement at the day centre she attends. She also "stims" and can be vocal and at worst bites herself, most of the time staff have strategies in place such as making sure she is not too warm and has something to hold to save her from getting distressed. I would be very upset and horrified if my daughter was treated the ways you described by the staff on the bus and would speak to anyone involved to make sure the issues are addressed. I have always made sure I can see and hear the bus arriving and get ready as soon as I see it go past the window. I expect consistent pick up and drop off times so can get stressed if it is late.

It's just a job. I'm not a charity. I have my own family with needs. If I am expected to be patient at the other end, I need time built into the contract to cover that time. It is not fair or reasonable to expect anyone to volunteer their time regularly for free.

I was the one called at my workplace when a child was 'stuck' and they needed someone to get them moving. I've done time like that for free. That's fine sometimes. I wouldn't do it often. I wouldn't take it out on the child though. I'd take it up with the school.

The bus companies bid for these jobs no you are not a charity but surely they explain to you that disabled children won't automatically get off the buses for many reasons. ?if the bus company can't cope with that dont put in a bid!

The bus company is not the individual driver. It's an easily resolved issue - pay the drivers for extra time to allow for these issues. Then they expect to be tied up during that time too. Someone needs to take these issues into account when drawing up contracts.

Contact your union then?or the LEA

They absolutely should do this. It's not fair to expect them to donate time so regularly.

Why do people think that drivers and the staff on the ground are the ones that bid for contracts? Christ.

I don't ,the bus companies put in the bids and lea usually go for the lowest ime.my local LEA also have a fleet of their own buses and drivers but not enough of them they are far better ime,as they are fully aware of some of the complexities that can make these journeys difficult for many disabled children.

My LA, for all its many faults, has time built into the taxi /minibus contracts for just this sort if thing. Its not unusual for children with SEN to struggle with transitions. So it is possible.

Block the other mum.

Wether there is time built in or not ,none if this is the fault of Op or her son my son has been getting school transport for ten years loads of kids struggle with transport, irs something thst needs to be discussed on an operational level between the bus companies and the transport department at the LEA.

About to make this point. At my special school you can see the LEA drivers and helpers who have built lovely relationships with their kids. They pass on messages from home. They even know the kids they don't take home.

And then I see the taxi drivers on a contract pulling their poor kids across the road, not even engaging with them. Heartbreaking.

LEAs - contract these services back in house! Recruit decent people who understand and pay the drivers and staff rather than the middle man! It works!

Not always that easy with a child with a disability. If the system works (and this bit is working),

OP Yes you need to complain.

It’s utterly unprofessional of them to complain to the mum at home about her son’s behaviour when he arrives at school. What is mum supposed to do about it? The school / LA should be made aware.

@Corksoles

And then I see the taxi drivers on a contract pulling their poor kids across the road, not even engaging with them. Heartbreaking.

The issue here is the remit the Council gives when advertising the contract. I know round my way, the only thing required for drivers is an advanced DBS check. The taxi company bid on the contract on the basis it is lift at Point A. Drop at Point B and vice versa. If the service was extended to the driver also being a carer during the journey, the price would be substantially more. It would likely end up with the parent being expected to escort his/her child to and from. Albeit in a taxi.