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Safety fears about autistic son and school transport

4 replies

Zootsandlegends · 21/06/2026 14:29

A question for those who’s children get transport to their specialist schools -
my 6yr old son (autistic) is going to be going to specialist school. It is 45mins away, so if I were to take him there and back myself plus then repeat the journey for pickup, I’d be looking at 3hrs in the car every day.
I am struggling with the idea of him getting a taxi or transport. He is EXTREMELY socially vulnerable and would not recognise inappropriate behaviour, is extremely naive and would be extremely vulnerable to manipulation or coercion. It scares the life out of me the idea of putting him in a taxi with God knows who. Equally, I’m struggling to keep myself and all my other responsibilities afloat massively and 3hrs of school runs isn’t going to help that.
How do I ensure his safety if he were to go to and from school via transport? Can I request a passenger assistant goes with him? preferably female? Is that allowed/likely to ever be agreed?!
And if he does go on transport, how do I not feel guilty at not being there to wave him off into school myself/be the face he sees when he leaves?
So much swirling round my head about it all and I’d love to hear from anyone who’s children sounds similar to mine and how it’s safely managed?
Thankyou xx

OP posts:
scoopofmintchocchipicecream · 21/06/2026 15:35

Not all do, but some DC will have an escort. It depends on the child’s needs, if it is shared transport, any other DC on the same transport, and to an extent, the LA. Some LAs routinely provide an escort for young children.

IME, most escorts are female. You can request that, but it isn’t guaranteed.

Sometimes it isn’t possible, but you can request to meet the driver (and if relevant, the escort) beforehand.

Try not to feel guilty. You have nothing to feel guilty about.

Noshadowsinthedarkness · 22/06/2026 07:12

OP I was SO worried about my ASD son going on transport for school. Beside myself.

What stage are you at?

Once his was approved I requested to meet the driver and support worker and it just calmed my mind immensely. It gave my son a chance to have a look at the mini bus too so we could do a social story.

He did cry the first two days, when he realised I wouldn’t be on the bus with him and then loved the bus journey. Now he likes the routine of the bus arriving etc.

I would make sure you let them know he needs support on the journey and your concerns relating to taxi, I emailed the council about this, particularly my safeguarding concerns for a non verbal child.

GlomOfNit · 12/07/2026 15:53

OP, with respect, you will have to learn to trust other people and step back a bit. I know it's horribly hard - my profoundly autistic son is now 15 and very vulnerable because of his LDs and autism. He'd go off with anyone, probably! He's also a flight risk and has no sense of danger. But in your situation, what are your choices? Trust the SEN transport in place for him, or take him yourself and essentially kiss goodbye to your day?

The LA providing the transport WILL provide an escort (to stop kids from fiddling with the doors, make sure they're calm, prevent them from overstepping the mark with one another, etc). Escorts are meant to be DBS checked and have done training. (I think this is an online thing, but with any luck they'll have done this job before so will know a bit about SEN.)

You'll probably be asked by the LA to provide some information about your son, his likes, his challenges, and any obvious risks. Plus your contact details. In our LA we have a transport 'passport' that clips onto a school bag. Taxi drivers/escorts are meant to consult this. In my experience, they don't always do that, but the info is there for emergencies.

Get to know your driver and escort. Make sure you have their mobile numbers and give them yours. Don't rely on the taxi HQ to pass on information! Hopefully you'll have some consistency and it'll be the same crew, but if it's a different one, make sure they've seen your son's 'passport', they know his risks and tendencies, and that the doors are child-locked! And that you have each other's numbers.

Maybe give your son something to do in the car? Does he use a screen? Have a favourite fiddle toy?

I won't lie - SEN transport is our main cause of stress during the school year - when we hear about it over summer (usually a couple of days before term starts), whether we'll have the same crew, if they're turning up, and when ... it can take a few days for a new crew to settle in. Communication is key, so do make sure you all have each other's numbers, and try and maintain good relations with them. If I like our escort and driver and think they're doing a good job, I tend to get them little treats like Costa cards at the end of the school year/Christmas. Some of them, to be frank, have been absolutely rubbish. In which case, you get on the phone to the LA and explain why they need to find a different provider.

It does get easier. Most SSs are brilliant and full of expert teachers and TAs who have seen it all before and are incredibly passionate and committed to getting the best out of, and for, our children.

scoopofmintchocchipicecream · 12/07/2026 16:21

Not all DC receiving school transport have escorts.

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