Sen transport to school stressing me saying ds is not eligible

[downloadtoad]

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.

Can i just point out why children in SEN schools get transport
My sons SEN school is for childrrn with severe and profound learning disabillties
Getting 200+ disabled children on and off trsnsport and safely into class is like a millitry operstion
They do not need parents turning up randomely dropping their children off every few minutes as its massivly disruptive to everyone
They need the childdren to be as calm as posible otherwise it would be utter chaos

Just ignore any comments you are finding unhelpful. You know your child better than any one on here.

i was also coming to say maybe turn to ipsea like a pp mentioned and get some advice.

That would be my solution. No different to driving him there and back yourself in terms of time. That’s what the DLA is for - extra expenses.

Yes, but in my area most SEN transport is just a normal taxi. What is it in your area?

And lots dont as you dont know the Ops son you have no idea if he will be fine.or not.

That’s a good suggestion, as it would get the younger dc to Nursery too!

Oh and here even with uber it would cost £400 for 4 weeks (£20) a day to travel just over 2 miles (I've just checked).
So they would be using literally all there DLA money on taxis to get an education!

Sen children and there familes are disadvantaged enough without putting them in financial hardship!

I do agree that with time and age most young people will be able to manage at least a simple bus ride with travel training but this is not appropriate right now.

i don’t think I’d physically be able to pull my very tall 11 year old in a trailer lol

You know your child best, and you understand what he can and can’t do. Some autistic children would be able to get to school safely themselves some won’t, like your son. The council needs evidence as they can’t pigeon hole all autistic children in the same box. Give them the evidence they are asking for and don’t worry until there’s something to worry about. Having to take two children to nursery is none of the councils concern, that’s a you problem. Hopefully your child gets the support he needs.

This could be a solution but as another pp has just pointed out it could cost us £400 a month in taxis !! That’s just not feasible

All that should be recorded in his EHCP, if it is, point that out to school transport dept.

Just send them into nursery later, you don’t have to lose the places. Start them at 10am rather than 9am.

No, it is NOT what DLA is for. OP's local authority has a statutory duty to provide school transport for her child. There is no reason whatsoever why she should have to pay for a taxi. DLA is not there to bail local athorities out of complying with their statutory duties.

Its always bern mini buses for my son hes just finishing year 11

Have you tried speaking to the SEND high school directly? They might be able to get you in contact with the correct people in the transport team. He will be entitled to transport, the distance doesn't matter it is based on his need. My LA has a separate SEND team within the transport team. At my DS's SEND secondary school children are bused in in mini bus taxis with chaperones, but it is the same people each day so the children know them.

I haven’t said “school transport shouldn’t exist.”

I have challenged the idea that nearly half a million pupils need individual taxis to them to and from school each day.

I understand, entirely, why there are some examples in which this is the only or best option.

What I do not understand is the sheer scale of it, and insane and clearly inefficient cost and use of funding.

One child getting a taxi to and from school costs your council 3-4 households worth of annual council tax. It’s a huge expense - we should be challenging if it’s the right approach, and yes what exactly the state should be obliged to provide vs individuals pay for.

Lots of kids are paying for their own public transport and not getting free buses, so it’s not just about provision of a free-at-point-of-use education system. That an aside to the issue being discussed here re taxi access.

Anyway, this a political discussion really and I don’t want to hijack OP’s post.

You have my sympathy OP, my DS is profoundly autistic, non verbal & doesn't even really understand the concept of school, so getting there under his own steam would be impossible.

Could you ask school to write a statement supporting why he needs transport?

For those saying use DLA on a taxi - I've just used our entire years' allowance on a specialist car seat - and DLA would never reflect the kind of loss of earnings I have because of needing to meet my son's needs (being on call in case of seizures etc) so I understand if you can't just reallocate this money.

Why should OP's younger child miss out because her local authority doesn't feel like complying with its legal duty to provide transport for her older child?

I can’t reply to each individual comment, but I want to think the posters who have been kind and not judged me as someone who just cba to take my child to school. I did the school run every single day twice a day with ds for years before he got into his sen school, and I will be doing it again shortly with my toddlers. I wish I never started this thread as I was already stressed out and now I’m in tears to some of the replies labelling me as someone who is just using the tax payer. We also pay our taxes and receive no benefits other than ds dla which he is entitled to. We both work and pay our way to society.

You probably should consider learning to drive at some point. I learned when my child was a toddler so that I was able to transport her myself.

I apologise for my ignorance. My child is yet to reach school age so i was unaware of that, I’m due to navigate this myself in the next year

What I’m trying to convey is the fact that OP said she isn’t going to go in the taxi with the child because she has to get her two other LO to nursery at the same time just seemed a little tone deaf IMO. My child would never ever be able to get in and out of a taxi safely to school so I would travel there with them, I would find a way. And I have multiple children.

But of course, it’s it’s the duty of the LA as a requirement by law then someone is failing this poor child. Which I keep seeing time and time again for disabled children.

Yes I’ve spoken to his teacher and she has calmed me down a little and said she will write a statement. She also mentioned mapping out the route and pointing out the dangers along it.

@downloadtoad There's a guy on social media called Adam Murphy who has a son with autism and is bery good at dealing with this sort of issue op. He ended up helping lots of other parents who contacted him which resulted in him being offered a job doing exactly that. He invites parents to email him when they need help: [email protected]

If you Google him you'll find him on social media too

It's tricky, and L.As are desperate to save money so will make it hard to get transport even when f you child is entitled to it.

Firstly I am assuming this is the nearest school that can meet needs rather than parental choice if it's parents choice it makes it harder.

As others have said look at all paper work you have for your child. Highlight things in reports that show why it isn't suitable for your child to walk or take public transport.

Eg) difficulties processing multi step instructions.

Inability to cope with unexpected changes

Lack of danger awareness etc...

Email your EHCP case worker, copy in head of service ask specific and direct questions and say you look forward to hearing by X date so you can plan for September.
If they don't reply send follow up email stating date of previous email and same questions this gives a paper trail so is better than phone call.

Contact SENDIASS for advice

Contact new school and discuss with them they may have experienced this before and have useful suggestions.

This is exactly what they want to know though. They are asking you to provide reasons and im sure if theyre told why, he'll get a place on the bus. They need to know why he is not capable of the walk when he is outside their catchment. Thats all. If youre not good at letter writing you can explain to chatgpt what is going on and why he cant walk and it will formulate a response for you to submit.