Sen transport to school stressing me saying ds is not eligible

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We live 2.2 miles away from the Sen high school ds is starting this September. The threshold for transport is 3 miles, if you live in this you may not be eligible for transport. They now want evidence of why ds cannot walk the 1 hour journey to and from school, other than his diagnosis of autism and not being able to walk this journey alone what else am I meant to provide ?!
He already receives transport to his Sen primary in which we live just under the 2 miles threshold.

I don’t drive so am not able to take ds to school, ds dad works and cannot be available twice a day to take ds and pick him up. We also have 2 toddlers who need to be in nursery for 9am.

I am so so stressed out, also I cannot get in touch with anyone from the send team, they still haven’t told me ds has got a place at the high school, I emailed and rang numerous time, all ignored, in the end I had to phone the actual high school and ask if ds was on the list. Please help.

But they haven’t said a definite no, they’ve asked you to provide evidence of what is needed? That’s perfectly reasonable for them to ask given the distance involved. You need to explain the reasons to them like you’ve done here. Just saying he has autism isn’t enough. My friend’s son with autism wasn’t able to travel alone when he started senior school, but travelling on public transport was one of the life skills they taught him and he can now do it as he has learned the routine. You need to explain to them why your son can’t.

I wasn't an Uber it was a local taxi company provided by transport

So why mention Uber drivers are DBS checked?

Not necessarily As I said there was no escort for my relatives transport. Just the driver. This was provided by the LEA

Because they are.. Can make 2 points at once you know

Surely the LEA would expect her to take him anyway. They younger kids ( who she obviously had knowing the eldest had higher care needs) are not their issue

Some might say why did you have a second if your first had issues?

Several times over the years if you noticed I added in the thread, I’m not going to keep repeating myself but it is there somewhere

Thats irrelevant the LA are obligated to fund transport bwcauss its a special school ( so not the ops choice and he cant safely travel alone .

I'm not sure due to the distance. Why can OP not take him on a bus or taxi herself??

Some might sau its non of your buissness
And the thread has been movred now to special needs to avoid rude snd unhelpful replies

Thank you

The statutory walking distance is not relevant to transport applications made under the cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school criteria.

Obviously I’m not OP, but as someone with an SEND child (Down’s syndrome in her case) and who cannot drive, this stings a bit. I would LOVE to be able to drive and it would solve many complications for our family too, but after spending 7 years on and off learning, and failing 7 tests I felt it was time to move on and accept things. Please stop being judgmental about non drivers. Chances are they’ve tried….

Exactly. Not everyone can drive. DH and I are both medically unfit to drive (DH due to a more recent issue in last few years). Even when I am medically cleared, as expected soon, I am very dyspraxic, can't tell left from right and may well struggle as much as I did trying to learn as a teenager, pre dyspraxia diagnosis.

My DC and I both have a physical disability which seriously affects our ability to walk and we may well need to apply for transport when DC reaches school age. DC is also showing signs of neurodivergence and ARFID. Trust me, I would much rather me, DC and DH didn't have any medical conditions or disabilities.

You still need evidence.

My 11 year old AuDHD child was able to use public transport by herself after some practices, travel training at school and DH/me travelling with her for a few weeks. She's now very confident. Too confident. She's 13 now and decided to pop to Oxford Street shopping with a friend without telling us . That'll be the ADHD part I guess.

Every child is different and you may be amazed what your son can do in a year or too, OP.

It's such a useful skill!

There should be something on the website to click and fill in be clear they are not engaging with you not returning calls or responding to emails

look up who is your local MP and email them before the holiday starts

I was responding to that lady who said that.

This is lovely to know your dd has really benefitted. I would be interested in this travel training definitely if it’s going to help ds

It's really bad of the LA to have left it so long to confirm the school! They are supposed to confirm in February aren't they? Then you would have had lots of time to work out options.

We started by dropping DD with friends who lived near the primary. They'd walk together from there. Then dropping at the bus stop & bus 3 stops to school. Then practice train journeys for secondary. Safer travel training was done by two of the TAs at school.

Ok apologies

Only if he is unable to walk to school. In OP's case, it very much sounds as if that is the case, but it isn't automatic for all children with special schools named in EHCPs.

How many parents have to walk secondary aged children to school? Requiring parents to do this to enable their children to access education is discrimination based on disability.

LAs sometimes have their independent travel training offer online. You might be able to find your LA’s offer. Some LAs offer it to DS’s age, but some don’t have a blanket offer until DC are older. Even if that is the case in your LA, independent travel training is something you can get included in the EHCP.

Having an escort on school transport is entirely normal.

Why should OP be expected to provide that service when, by law, it is the responsibility of the local authority?

Hot news. Different children have different needs. OP's son has aleady been assessed as needing an escort, why would that change over the next 6 weeks?