Ds is entitled to school transport and in this borough they also pay parents mileage. It is costing me a fortune to get ds to and from school. I cannot decide what to do for the best.
I have been told by LA there is one place on the school bus and ds has said that he would go on the bus.
However, I don't think he could tolerate it (although he does like the idea) At the moment he cant stand noise on the way to and from school. He listens to music on the way to and from and gets very irritated by any other noise, especially talking or other peoples voices (even on the radio, he skips through any talking bits). Its also a new school that ds has started and he suffers with high anxiety etc.
The LA have told me I wont get mileage paid as there is a space on the school bus, but sent me a form regardless.
Should I give the school bus a try?
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School transport what to do?
claw2 · 07/10/2013 09:11
I would try the bus. That establishes the need for transport. If he can't cope with it then the LA has a duty to provide non stressful transport. For some children they need (in LA speak) a 'single occupancy vehicle'.
You try the bus, if he doesn't cope you remove him from the bus and ask for his own taxi due to the big bus being too stressful or say you are willing to drive for expenses. At that point the LA will be happy to pay you as its cheaper 
Councils are desperate to save money and transport is a big cost for some LAs so caseworkers are themselves having to jump through hoops for their managers to justify every penny.
Its the same hoops as before Claw - you know the drill you have to prove failure at step 1 to get to step 2.
Oh well I confirmed what I was told in writing via email and set out the Law about duty of LA and eligibility criteria for them to put before 'panel' and copied in social worker.
Just had a phone call, they will be providing transport as from Monday and it doesn't have to go before 'panel' after all! 
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