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SN children

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Original poster

Charging for school transport introduced

15 replies

donkeyderby · 27/01/2011 17:18

I have read on another forum about a Local Authority that is seeking to change the transport policy so they don't have to provide transport to the local authority special school (currently served by buses with escorts). Transport would no longer be provided for children with high rate mobility unless under exceptional circumstances, which have not been defined. Even then, they will be charged £50 per week.

Seems EXTRAORDINARY!!!!

Is this legal?

OP posts:

Lougle · 27/01/2011 17:36

Hmmmm....policy nationally is 2 miles + for under 8s and 3 miles + for over 8s.

Having said that, most LAs have a policy that grants transport for children for whom it is 'medically indicated' at lower distances.

If I am honest, I think it is probably legal :(, but whether parents could make some sort of 'custom and practice contractual breech' claim, I don't know. ie. You offered me a place for my child at this school and promised transport. Now you are retracting the promise.

Original poster

donkeyderby · 27/01/2011 17:39

I have just looked at the DirectGov website which says LA's 'qualify for free transport - no matter what distance they walk from the school - if they have SEN or they have a disability or mobility problems. Sounds pretty conclusive to me...?

OP posts:

rosie39forever · 27/01/2011 18:09

My LA are 'in consultation' about this at the mo and looks likely that from April are withdrawing SN transport if you live less than 2 miles as the crow flies from school. Thats us done for if this happens, my dd goes to SN school just under 2 miles away and goes by bus with escort which gets her to school calmly and safely if this is withdrawn we cannot aford a second car (had to give up work to care for dd) she has no sense of danger and completely shuts down when faced with noisey traffic so walking is out of the question, there is a bus service but dd wont set foot on a bus and has massive meltdown at the thought plus it would cost over £100 a month so no go, so what do i do?
wouldnt be so bad if the out of area kids whose parents choose to send them to church school weren't still getting their transport subsidised.

Agnesdipesto · 27/01/2011 18:13

IPSEA info

rosie39forever · 27/01/2011 18:17

Thanks will have a read

bullet234 · 27/01/2011 18:26

Do you mind me asking which LA this is please? Ds1 and Ds2 both get a bus with a driver and escort to school.

rosie39forever · 27/01/2011 18:31

It's Leicestershire

bullet234 · 27/01/2011 18:50

Not us then. Pretty dire for those in Leicestershire though.

bullet234 · 27/01/2011 18:51

Sorry, crossposted. Didn't realise you were facing this as well Rosie, sorry. I meant the LA in the OP.

rosie39forever · 27/01/2011 18:56

Fingers crossed it doesn,t happen and they find another way to save money but this from a LA who have just withdrawn all care packages from those with moderate to mild needs and the elderly nothing would surprise me, why they think it's morally acceptable to take services away from vulnerable people is beyond me, I have written to the council and to my MP but surprise surprise no reply.

Original poster

donkeyderby · 27/01/2011 19:33

Sorry, I don't know which LA it is. It wasn't named in this forum. Worrying implications for all of us though if they can get away with such crap.

I'm imagining:

a) DS on the local bus along with half his school - and one wheelchair space and
b) every single child coming by car and arriving the small school drive at once.

OP posts:

ethel1 · 27/01/2011 19:58

I recommend that you actually always check the number of kids on the bus.
Transport told me it would be 12-14 children with 2 escourts,which is a high number for an epileptic SLD child. It turns out there are 19
most of which are MLD teenage boys who are out of control and swearing alot,the 2 lady escorts have gone,don't know where or why. now have 2 men who were not informed of DD condition and have no medical training.
So to battle we must go !
PS If you child receives income related Esa you can get free transport I'm not sure if this applies to parents.

ArthurPewty · 27/01/2011 20:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ethel1 · 27/01/2011 20:36

Unfortuley my only school is 14 miles away

Original poster

donkeyderby · 27/01/2011 21:17

The suggestion in the forum where I saw this comment, was that this was transport to THE local authority special school, rather than a more distant school or parents choice of school rather than L.A.'s.

Our Local Authority is stopping transport for special schools on the opposite side of the city to where children live. There are two SLD schools that you could chose between, but due to new transport restrictions, you can only go to the one nearest to you. Mainstream kids get a choice of at least 3 schools, SLD kids get no choice.

They are also getting tricky about taking kids from school to leisure providers and telling some parents they will only take their kids to 'respite', even though the specialist leisure providers are also counted as 'short breaks' by social services

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