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.

Sounds like you need to learn to drive. Take an intensive course over the summer and buy another car?

Don’t panic. The 3-mile rule isn’t the only test for children with SEND. The council also has to consider whether your son can reasonably be expected to walk to school because of his special educational needs or disability.
If they’re asking for evidence, don’t just send his autism diagnosis. Explain exactly how his autism affects his ability to make the journey safely. For example:

• He has no awareness of road safety or danger.
• He cannot travel independently and requires constant adult supervision.
• He may abscond/run off if distressed.
• He struggles with changes to routine or busy environments.
• A one-hour walk each way would cause sensory overload, anxiety or emotional dysregulation, affecting his ability to access education.
• Any other risks specific to him (communication difficulties, meltdowns, fatigue, challenging behaviour, etc.).

Ask professionals who know him to provide supporting evidence if possible, such as his school, GP, paediatrician, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist or educational psychologist. His current SEN school may also be able to write a letter explaining why transport is needed. Also explain your family’s circumstances, although the main decision should be based on your son’s needs rather than parental availability. Mention that you don’t drive, Dad is working, and you have two younger children with nursery commitments, but focus primarily on why he cannot safely or reasonably make the journey. If the council refuses transport, ask for a copy of its SEND Home to School Transport Policy and request a review or appeal. If your son’s EHC plan names that school because it is the appropriate placement, that can also support your case. Keep copies of every email and, if the SEND team aren’t responding, make a formal written complaint to the council asking for an urgent response, especially as September is approaching - contact your SENDIASS. Cc in your MP too!

finally AIbU isn’t the right place on MNet for SEN advice x

This just made me cry, what a great idea and a lovely mum you are!

Why does a 2 mile journey take an hour in a taxi?

So kindly i’d say this

the issue sounds like more of a childcare issue than a SEN one. That you and your husband can’t make logistics work to walk him to and from school.

I have a kid who gets transport by the way but his school is 8 miles. If it was 2 we’d also have to do it ourselves. The transport isn’t because of the diagnosis its because of the distance.

My other son goes to school 2 miles away with no public transport and yes he walks an hour each way each day. We both work full time and make this work in various ways. You could consider

staggering drop offs with nursery - later or earlier
breakfast club for eldest
breakfast clubs for youngers
husband flexing his work schedule
get an electric cargo bike
Not sure your son’s needs but can he learn to ride a bike? My son went on a special course and every SEN kid could ride a bike by the end of the day

Again kindly your situation is no different really to other families with older and younger kids in different locations. Many 11/12 year olds can’t go to school alone so the parents figure it out

really when you have no idea about autism or special needs you really ought to keep quiet.

Don't get hung up on milage there ISNT a milage requirement for a sen school

Start a stage one complaint they will begin to reply
Contact your MP
also do they have a sen transport department seperate to regular school transport?

I have already tried contenting the send team multiple times at the country council and they ignore emails, phones go to voicemail, ds actual keyworker doesn’t even have the same number anymore. They still haven’t told me ds has a confirmed place at high school, I had to phone the school directly and ask if he was on the list. I’ve been trying to contact them since March.

Becsuse its just thst simple...

I learned to drive in my mid 30s, was absolutely terrified so took a while to get the hang of it, lessons were £65 each and I managed it within 6 months. That was taking two tests. It does not have to take years.

Yes but apparently you have to wait for a test like everyone else.

Kindly your child isnt disabled so not comparable.

Thank you I might do this

As a parent of a child who attends a sen school. That’s simply not good enough, the school should be doing transitions etc.
Would be questioning about sending my child there if they are playing that game.

How do I start a complaint ? Is it true the mileage doesn’t matter with a sen school ?

People are talking about 'appealing' but so far as I can tell no decision has actually been made that the son can't have transport, all that's happened is that the OP has been asked to provide evidence of why the son needs transport. So surely the OP should be setting out all the stuff she's posting on here - including the fact that he has transport for a lesser distance now - to the school instead? It seems clear enough there's a genuine need, so explain that to the school. Or is there another important bit of relevant info we haven't been told (i.e. that the OP has already done this and been rejected)?

@x2boysno it's not simple but in this case sounds like it's a necessity. We have used debt before to run two cars because we had to. Life is tough, but two parents that can drive makes life a whole lot simpler.

Only if this is the school the council have named as most suitable for your child. If you have chosen a different school to the one the council recommend then they don’t cover travel

LA taxis providing transport for children with SEND normally have DBS checked drivers, and they will aim to keep them consistent as they will be fully briefed about the individual child. In appropriate cases, the LA will also provide a trained escort. It simply is not comparable.

I'm sure OP would love her child not to be disabled at all so that he does not need help with transport. Unfortunately, that is not an option that is ever going to be open to her.

sorry Ds has had his transitions, school have been good, it’s the send team at the local authority who have ignored me and not told me ds was going to this school. I had to go over them and speak to the school myself and was then told he was on the list !

Im.pretty sure it is becsuse of the safety aspect

This school is named in his EHCP

Then yes, they are legally obliged to get him there by way of a SEN school
bus or private taxi

No I haven’t applied yet I started to then had to confirm we lived under the 3 miles threshold, it then told me ds wasn’t eligible and to provide evidence. Hence me worrying about what evidence I could provide and starting this thread.

IT’S NOT FOR AN HOUR - it’s a two mile drive. How slow would you have to drive for two miles to take an hour 😂