My sons school have raised safe guarding concerns

[Livelove0x]

Due to unfortunate circumstances me and my three children have had to move quite a way from school, we get a bus or taxi then a 25 minute train and a 20 minute bus to school. With my youngest son now being at nursery and starting at 8.30 my 13 year old daughter takes my 6 year old son on the bus from town to school, I put them on in the morning and meet them off it after school. The bus stop is outside school so there are no main roads to cross, my daughter is quite mature for her age and I have no issues with her making sure he’s safe, she has a contract phone and we communicate during the bus ride. The school found out today that this is what we are doing and have raised concerns, I am trying my best to do what I can in our situation. Does anyone have any advice because if my daughter can’t take him I’ll be late dropping my youngest and late picking up my 6 year old. School want a meeting tomorrow after school, what do I say

I think 6 is too young personally.

Could the nursery child not start at a different time?

That’s a lot of responsibility to put on a 13 year old, it’s not fair.

I don't see a problem. You see them onto the bus, you meet them off the bus, you can't do morning school and nursery drop offs because you'd be late starting work so late to finish and be unable to meet them off the bus.
Hopefully they want to discuss how they can help with home to school transport.

Primary schools usually have a policy of not releasing children to anyone under the age of 16 especially in KS1. They have a duty of care and a responsibility to raise any concerns.

This doesn’t mean they won’t be sympathetic or supportive and may be able to offer advice.

From schools point of view, they never see you. Each day an infant age child is brought to and from school by an older child. Of course they need to find out exactly what is going on, and satisfy themselves that all is well. It would be irresponsible of them not to.

I know our school won't allow children to be dropped off or collected by anyone under 16, which is a PITA for many parents.
(Primary and High School very short distance, would save lots of messing if DC1 could walk DC2 home for us, DC1 happily takes DC2 the park etc)

13 year old is just a kid herself. She should be with her mates not having to take a 6 year old to school.
What’s the plan long term?

Due to distance from school (rural farming community) my children have a school bus from reception. They get on at 4 years, on their own and get off at the other end on their own. When my older kids were younger there was a chaperone but that stopped many years ago. Whilst not a public bus the bus has 4 year olds and 18 year olds on it. The bus from ours takes just over an hour. This apparently is perfectly acceptable.

Plus 13 and willing is fine. The desire to infantile teens is staggering.

They can't stop you. They may threaten and claim otherwise but schools can not stop you if there is no safeguarding reason, a 13 year old and a 6year old isn't one.

Presumably she’s on her own way to and from school?

It does sound like there is a safeguarding issue seeing as you had to move suddenly.

It is also a lot of responsibility looking after a 6 year old, so they are right to check everything’s ok.

How far is her school from his?
If she drops him off at 8:39 does that mean she’s getting to school late?

I have to be in work for 9 o'clock so my son going to nursery is essential to us a family, If I am unable to have my daughter take my son on a 20 minute bus ride with other parents and school children on there, one of whom takes my son in for me if they get on the same bus. As a single parent we expected to do above our means, if either child was sick of course I would take the day off and take them in late on the rare occasion. I do worry about them but I also know to survive I have to do what I can, if school won't agree then I will quit my job of course, we are planning to move near the school once our current tenancy is up. We had to move due to domestic violence

Where is the 13 year old then going - is she getting to school on time herself.

that amount of daily responsibility for a younger sibling potentially at the expense of her own education is a safeguarding concern.

is this a short term thing (refugee/temp council accommodation) is there scope for help such as taxis ( which the school could help with)

as for what you say - the truth why you have moved and if they can offer any support help

I used to see 4 year olds being put off the bus by the bus driver and school never batted an eyelid. Parents had to work.

If the 13 year old is sensible and the 6 year old is reasonably well behaved I wouldn't have a problem with that. I hope the school have a better idea, if they find this solution unacceptable.

Is totally fine! I took my six year old sister to school when I was 11.

I don't see the issue with a 13 year old doing this. I used to walk with my brother alone to school ages 7 and 5!

I'd be inclined to ask the school what their suggestion is to manage the situation. I honestly wouldn't think twice about it.

I would just tell the school what you've said in your OP (with some extra context around why you had to move). To me it sounds like an ok arrangement, certainly like you're doing your best in very difficult circumstances. School are required to get more info if they're uncertain about a situation, so they're nbu either. Hopefully they will be reassured when you explain the situation.

I don't see anything wrong with this situation at all.

When I was 6 I used to take a 5 year old neighbour's child on the bus with me and keep an eye on her.

Honestly a sensible 13 year old is perfectly capable of escorting her own sibling on the bus to school.

If it's just one 20 minute bus ride, you put them on the bus and they both get to school on time then I don't see the safeguarding issue.

Lots of secondary school children take junior school siblings to and from school where I live.

My 13 year olds responsibility is to take my son on a 20 minute bus ride where we communicate throughout the journey, she drops him off and then walks 5 minutes to her school. 2 days a week my dad tries to help with pick up so it isn't every day

It's madness as my daughter wasn't allowed to pick my son up when she was 16 and in sixth form!

My 13 year old used to collect her sister from early years when I was poorly. The secondary school was very helpful and classed her as temp young carer to allow her to come in slightly later etc

Its only a bus ride. However to make it easier on you all, do apply for school transport, you may well not receive it, there will be reasons the LA wil try to say that the kids need to move school but perhaps they cant or perhaps theres no spaces at the local schools to you now.

The school can raise what they like but you have a system in place for ensuring your children are as safe as they can be and that is your method for them attending school and you being able to work, dont worry.