Any statute/guideline requiring an escort *must* be present when transporting a 7 year old in a private taxi?

[Sunshine786]

Hello

I am looking to have a private taxi transport my 7 year old son to school and back. He will be the only passenger. The 25 mile journey takes just under 45 mins. (There is no nearby alternative suitable school!). Whilst he has ASD, behaviour is very good - he will happily play alone for 45 mins on his iPad.

I understand per the the DFE transport guidance
www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport
that the journey is expected to be OK from a time perspective:
("Best practice suggests that the maximum each way length of journey for a child of primary school age might be considered to be 45 minutes")

However I can't seem to find any mention of whether an escort is mandatory in this instance. Personally I don't think he needs one and I think it will just add to the costs unnecessarily.

I would appreciate is someone could please enlighten me if there is any DFE or Health & Safety or any other guideline or statute requiring that an escort must be present in the circumstances mentioned.

Many thanks.

I am confused as to why you think transport costs are the sticking point?
The tribunal will only be interested in if part 2 describes your son's needs, if part 3 meets those needs, if the mainstream school can provide part 3 needs then, if mainstream can't meet those needs then, if the independent school can meet those needs - it won't be interested in the LEA's transport policy or costs.

The independent school has to be the ONLY school that can meet his educational needs. This needs to backed up by an Indy EP report. If it does, then transport costs are the LA's problem, not yours.

I'm just worried that you'll focus on transport only for the LA to pull a cheaper & closer to home utterly unsuitable unit or SS place out of the hat at the 11th hour. Be ready to explain why a state special school closer to home can't do the job as it's amazing what LA's come up with in the final couple of days before hearing.

Sometimes where provision is equal or close to equal, parental preference comes into play and the transport cost can be used to decide.

My mum worked in a LA department organising school transport. They did have to have an escort on all transport.

It isn't just for the child's sake - but also for the drier's sake too. They need to not be alone with a child incase of any allegations.

^^ hence I think why you have to really pick out the exact details that make the indy v state SS look as unequal as possible & that takes time you don't have in the last 48 hours - which is exactly WHY I'd expect an LA to pull a stunt like this.

Cynical was a bump on the road I hit a long time ago.

The independent SALT & EP are very clear in their report and recommendations that a specialist school is whats needed and that the existing mainstream school even with extra provision just cannot meet his needs.

Both have significant tribunal experience and will be attending as my witnesses to support this viewpoint.

I expect the LA and school will be arguing that he is making progress (whether this is "adequate progress" is debatable) and so the existing school is fine.

I have been advised to shop around and determine the transport costs (as the LA are likely to come up with an inflated figure) if it transpires that the Tribunal agree with the LA that the mainstream school is also able to meet his needs. In this event I am told, it may come down to comparing the cost of the two options.

The added cost of an escort will significantly bump up the transport costs and hence the question if one is really needed.

I think you will find it difficult to find a driver who would be willing to do it without an escort. It puts the driver in a vulnerable position.

My LA has just merged with another who send taxies all over the place full of kids and no escort, though usually there are more than 1 kid in the back.

ds1 is transported in a taxi with no escort and he is still primary age although older than seven.

I don't think there's anything that says there has to be an escort. It mostly depends on the child and the nature of his difficulties.

Get some quotes from cab firms, and offer to commission the transport yourself via a direct payment.

here
But boch is probably right. Bet this is a diversionary tactic. Concentrate on the essentials, they'll probably pull some tricksy surprises in the evidence.

Panel members can be surprisingly naive, and a bit dense.