Disabled transport cuts Lincolnshire

briancharles5612
briancharles5612 Online Community Member Posts: 65 Contributor
edited September 1 in Families and carers

I’m a carer to a 8 year old child who has autism and is at best pre verbal. Four years ago Lincolnshire council instead of getting us a place in the send school in his town sent him to one 45 minutes away. That’s how it’s been for four years and tbh school change would be huge now so I have to stomach it.

Over the years he’s had about ten drivers and 15 different assistants. Last year his needs showed up more and he had to be moved from the back to the front due to touching buttons etc. I had to intervene as the driver was driving with one hand and stopping my son with the other. Then they refused to put the child lock on and he trying to open the door. Agian I intervened. They then weren’t always putting the angel clip on and was trying to get out of his seat again.. finally they were told not to let him walk to the door as he can run. The last week they did it twice so had to raise with the council. All this whilst being in a two child taxi.

3 weeks ago I get a not saying they will now be putting him in a mini bus with 4 other children to “optimise the route” which is basically transport cuts. I challenged this with the support of councillor and MP. They came back yesterday and wouldn’t budge. They and the taxi company are confident they can meet his needs when they were barely met last year. And are under no obligation to consult with me.

Furthermore the mini bus will now block the road causing severe stress getting my boy in and out as they said they’ve no obligation to park on the drive despite it being safer for my boy.

I’ve put in a subject access request in the event of further appeal but will be interested to hear what other parents stories are.

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Comments

  • briancharles5612
    briancharles5612 Online Community Member Posts: 65 Contributor

    and finally the last two times my son was in a mini bus a kid stole his tablet and videod him whilst the helper just sat there and the other time a child smashed in the back window. To which the helper gave me the strangle sign as in saying what she’d liked to do to the kids who didnt behave.

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 2,361 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Hi @briancharles5612

    I understand why you’re feeling frustrated, it sounds like a really tough and stressful situation for you both! It sounds like you’re doing everything you can to keep your son safe and you’re doing the right thing by pushing back and asking questions.

    Unfortunately budget cuts in local authorities are getting more and more and common so you’re definitely not alone in this and I do know we have some parents of disabled of children here on the community who may be able to relate and hopefully offer some support and share their experience☺️

  • briancharles5612
    briancharles5612 Online Community Member Posts: 65 Contributor

    you’re right about the budget cuts. They used words such as optimised the route.

    my concern is how my boy will react. Will it cause him severe distress etc. he’s never massively keen on school anyways.

    they also took the cab company’s word over mine. I spoke to the taxi company and they were very confident. That upsets me as they failed numerous times on a smaller transport but are confident in a larger.

    but this is the beginning of lots of cuts I fear.

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