Mobility problems, school admissions, please help!

[Karen333]

Hi, I have mobility problems and other health problems and so cannot do the school run anymore. A friend kindly takes my daughter at the moment but it's not a very good school and I feel my daughter is missing out educationally and socially. I am considering trying to move to a bungalow or flat that's all on one level which would mean my daughter moving schools.
Does anyone know if my mobility and health problems can be taken into account with school admissions? I can try to get something as close to a school as possible but if she doesn't get it I won't be able to get her there (not even possible in a taxi).
Has anyone else been through this process please? If a school is oversubscribed will my disability make any difference? I can't use a wheelchair or scooter as at the moment too ill to get out the house everyday.
I hate that she is missing out because I am ill,

Thanks.

Hi Karen
First of all sorry to hear your of Ill health we ourselves are also struggling due to my health as I've had 2 operations on my back in the last 2 mnths.however we do have a little girl who is also life limiting and has a condition called Edwards.
Schools are there to support families firstly I'd suggest asking the school to come out to see you at home to discuss the situation as we have a tutor that pics my boys up and drops them off on bad days .
Schools can provide escorts in certain situations and health is one of them as they say education education . Of you have no joy from this then go to your local MP and watch them jump through hoops for you schools don't wish to be down graded like again said before supporting families and children's education is there priority.
Transport could also be provided but must go to the panel of board with education.
I do hope this has helped of you'd like any support I'd like to help in any way .
Keeps my life not so busy helping others x

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling, I too have mobility problems and thought I should post and alternative view. School admissions disregarded my disability and placed my Son at our nearest school, a wonderful outstanding school that was built more than 100 years ago. It's perfect for him but has no access for me. The local authority does not care who gets my son to school so long as he gets there. They do not pay for taxis, this is only for disabled children not the children of disabled parents. The local authority were no help whatsoever. I have been told that family welfare workers can help with the funding for transport only if you are temporarily sick. So if you are going into hospital for an operation and will unable to walk your child to school, the local authority can help with transport while you are sick. If your disability is permanent and they expect you to find a way around it.

The school however have been brilliant in trying to accommodate, including allowing me to park my car on the playground if required. They've made me feel very welcome as a parent and we are working together on wheelchair access as well.

Best of luck, I hope it all goes well for you .

Hey guys! A bit of a long shot that this is still being monitored but I got my DSS 's reception place offer overturned on the basis of the fact that it was against the equalities act to not offer equal access to a public building and offering no reasonable adjustments and it effecting my rights to a family life. You have to state legislation at them. Also get in touch with ALFIE (alliance for inclusive education) they helped me and I have a petition waiting to go to get my local authority to change their policy and then if successful broaden it to a national change in policy. Hope you all get what you need!

Thank so much for posting! Can you clarify - was it overturned on the basis of your DSS having a disability or your own/OH who is disabled?

I ask this because I have been told it doesn't matter who gets the child to school, that I should make alternate provisions for getting him there if I can't take him. What you have said about rights to a family life makes sense though.

Yeah that's what I was told but that's rarely ever written down it's just another way of LA trying to shirk responsibility. I got it overturned on the grounds of my disability and that I didn't drive at the time of appeal (and I still can't drive on bad days anyway). I told them that I am main carer once my partner is working and there are no other arrangements that can be made. It's a equalities act issue as it is written in law that you should have equal access to public buildings and if this isn't available reasonable adjustment should be made - having your DC in either the nearest school or an accesible school is such a reasonable adjustment.

Fab! Thanks for this. I'm sure it will help other mums too! Xx

Here's the petition - you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/change-school-admissions-criteria-for-disabled-parents