Re: OT - transport provision at mainstream

[Guest guest]

While he is in mainstream you can reasonably expect the support of the

lea to make the placement work because any autism specific placement

will be more expensive.

I've never had transport but I seem to have heard that the cost bears no

relationship to what one might expect ie it is far more than seems

reasonable. Costing the whole package against other sorts of provision

might be useful in making up your mind. It is probably the process that

the lea will go through in deciding what to support

xx Sally

magherabuoysue wrote:

>

>

> Thanks Sally. We will have have a good think about the pros and cons

> of pushing for it. Your post about mainstream versus special ed was

> a big help in us deciding for mainstream, but we are not after any

> mainstream - only this particular one which I feel with appropriate

> support will meet his needs. If he does not get the support, or the

> placement breakdown even with support, then we will probably be

> looking at an autism specific placement anyway. The resourced unit

> is not autism specific. The lad himself is desperate to attend the

> mainstream class and we will be stimmied if the LEA offer far less

> than we ask for - the same boat so many people here have sailed in

> before. Thanks again Sue

>

>

> > >

> > > Just wondered if anyone knows of any incidence where a statemented

> > > child attending a mainstream school had transport included as a

> > > provision on a statement. I have always understood that transport

> is

> > > only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with special

> > > resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was

> accepted as

> > > the best placement for the child, could an argument be made that

> the

> > > transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting the

> > > mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it is

> > > relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is at a

> > > different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am in a

> > > dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him (he

> > > likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then picking

> > > Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his

> brother.

> > > The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can

> only

> > > claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran cannot

> > > attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I

> wondered

> > > if that could be taken into account, despite the relative

> nearness of

> > > the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

> > > Sue

> > >

> > >

> > > ----------------------------------------------------------

> ------

> > >

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> 04/01/2008 12:05

> > >

> >

>

>

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22:55

>

[Guest guest]

You could try asking for transport and then giving it up as part of the

negotiations -- to help them see how accommodating you are being

Sally

magherabuoysue wrote:

>

> Thanks Mandi and Sally,

> I guess having an escort for one child in a taxi is what would make

> it expensive in our case. I don't think we will push for it, just

> bear the cost of breakfast club ourselves - fortunately Kieran

> already goes to the same place at holiday club, and the manager is

> really accomodating, even though they are not autism trained, they

> have asked the disability integration officer in for advice.

> If pressure is put on me to accept the resourced unit,or way below

> our requirements for support, then I will make a point of how we are

> very committed to this placement as the most appropriate for his

> needs, and lay it on thick about how inconvenient it is for us as a

> family, but that we are putting his needs first. The loss of

> transport can come into that, and hopefully will convince them that

> we are not just willy nilly thinking it would be nicer to have a

> child in mainstream rather than in a special class. I will make sure

> they understand that less than adequate support means that we will be

> looking for autism specific placement ( which is out of borough), and

> not the resourced unit.

> Most kids leaving the current school do graduate to the resourced

> unit,and they are finding it a bit shocking that several of us

> recently have looked elsewhere. Thanks again for your input. Much

> apprecited

> Sue

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

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> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1212 - Release Date: 06/01/2008

22:55

>

[Guest guest]

Get the offer in writing. Only that counts in my experience.

Sally

magherabuoysue wrote:

>

> Hi Peta,

> We have thought about swapping Corey into the new school for Kieran.

> The kinds of things that have made us reluctant are

> - he loves the school he is in, and has made good friends.

> - school is the main place where people see him as an individual,

> not just as Kieran's brother.

> - we are not sure if Kieran will succeed at this placement.

> - we don't want Corey to have the pressure of hearing bad comments

> about Kieran from the other kids, in case this impacts upon their

> relationship, which is pretty good considering Kieran really does not

> give him a great deal back

> - we have a daughter, only 2 just now, but if we swapped Corey, we

> wold then have to also send her to the same school, even though the

> main reason for the swap (ie. Kieran's attendance) would only be

> relevant for 1 full school year. We will then be in the position of

> Kieran attending another school, with similar problems, as it is

> unlikely that he would be able to go unattended.

> - Corey's school is the one attached to our parish church which we

> attend, and so he has a sense of belonging there.

> - Kieran has stated that he does not want to go to the same school as

> Corey. He has an awareness of how easy Corey seems to find talking

> to people, playing and sport etc.

>

> Of course, in the short term, it would make the logistics much easier

> and so it is very tempting. To be truthful, when I am knackered, the

> resourced unit with a nice lady in a nice taxi coming to whisk him

> away each morning feels very tempting. I am sure that some of my

> friends, and also parents of other kids in his class, just think that

> we are making life difficult uneccesarily.

> We have not even been offered a permanent place for Kieran yet - that

> in itself will be a relief.

> Thanks for your suggestion Sue

>

>

> > >

> > > Just wondered if anyone knows of any incidence where a

> statemented

> > > child attending a mainstream school had transport included as a

> > > provision on a statement. I have always understood that

> transport

> > is

> > > only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with special

> > > resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was

> > accepted as

> > > the best placement for the child, could an argument be made that

> > the

> > > transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting

> the

> > > mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it is

> > > relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is at

> a

> > > different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am in a

> > > dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him

> (he

> > > likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then

> picking

> > > Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his

> > brother.

> > > The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can

> only

> > > claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran

> cannot

> > > attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I

> > wondered

> > > if that could be taken into account, despite the relative

> nearness

> > of

> > > the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

> > > Sue

> > >

> >

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1213 - Release Date: 07/01/2008

09:14

>

[Guest guest]

You know that there is a date in law (actually written in) -- Feb 15th

each year I think -- when legally a child with a statement MUST be

offered a school placement for secondary transfer. It's in either the

regulations or the primary legislation. It is specified in the Code of

Practice I think

xx Sally

magherabuoysue wrote:

>

> Hi Peta,

> We have thought about swapping Corey into the new school for Kieran.

> The kinds of things that have made us reluctant are

> - he loves the school he is in, and has made good friends.

> - school is the main place where people see him as an individual,

> not just as Kieran's brother.

> - we are not sure if Kieran will succeed at this placement.

> - we don't want Corey to have the pressure of hearing bad comments

> about Kieran from the other kids, in case this impacts upon their

> relationship, which is pretty good considering Kieran really does not

> give him a great deal back

> - we have a daughter, only 2 just now, but if we swapped Corey, we

> wold then have to also send her to the same school, even though the

> main reason for the swap (ie. Kieran's attendance) would only be

> relevant for 1 full school year. We will then be in the position of

> Kieran attending another school, with similar problems, as it is

> unlikely that he would be able to go unattended.

> - Corey's school is the one attached to our parish church which we

> attend, and so he has a sense of belonging there.

> - Kieran has stated that he does not want to go to the same school as

> Corey. He has an awareness of how easy Corey seems to find talking

> to people, playing and sport etc.

>

> Of course, in the short term, it would make the logistics much easier

> and so it is very tempting. To be truthful, when I am knackered, the

> resourced unit with a nice lady in a nice taxi coming to whisk him

> away each morning feels very tempting. I am sure that some of my

> friends, and also parents of other kids in his class, just think that

> we are making life difficult uneccesarily.

> We have not even been offered a permanent place for Kieran yet - that

> in itself will be a relief.

> Thanks for your suggestion Sue

>

>

> > >

> > > Just wondered if anyone knows of any incidence where a

> statemented

> > > child attending a mainstream school had transport included as a

> > > provision on a statement. I have always understood that

> transport

> > is

> > > only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with special

> > > resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was

> > accepted as

> > > the best placement for the child, could an argument be made that

> > the

> > > transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting

> the

> > > mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it is

> > > relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is at

> a

> > > different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am in a

> > > dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him

> (he

> > > likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then

> picking

> > > Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his

> > brother.

> > > The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can

> only

> > > claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran

> cannot

> > > attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I

> > wondered

> > > if that could be taken into account, despite the relative

> nearness

> > of

> > > the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

> > > Sue

> > >

> >

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1213 - Release Date: 07/01/2008

09:14

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I know of several cases here (Southwark). If you need

it..............you need it. About the distance, I don't know. But

transport definitely. It's v expensive though and if you push through

the cost of SS you may find the lea pressing you into sp ed.

Sally

magherabuoysue wrote:

>

> Just wondered if anyone knows of any incidence where a statemented

> child attending a mainstream school had transport included as a

> provision on a statement. I have always understood that transport is

> only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with special

> resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was accepted as

> the best placement for the child, could an argument be made that the

> transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting the

> mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it is

> relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is at a

> different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am in a

> dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him (he

> likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then picking

> Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his brother.

> The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can only

> claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran cannot

> attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I wondered

> if that could be taken into account, despite the relative nearness of

> the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

> Sue

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1209 - Release Date: 04/01/2008

12:05

>

[Guest guest]

I've never had transport but I seem to have heard that the cost bears no relationship to what one might expect ie it is far more than seems reasonable. Costing the whole package against other sorts of provision might be useful in making up your mind. It is probably the process that the lea will go through in deciding what to support

>>Sam shares a mini bus with 2 other lads, they quote Sam's transport costs at 12K per annum, I guess the same for the other lads, one expensive minibus for 38 weeks a year eh?. Its about 8 miles each way.........FWIW

Mandi x

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sally. We will have have a good think about the pros and cons

of pushing for it. Your post about mainstream versus special ed was

a big help in us deciding for mainstream, but we are not after any

mainstream - only this particular one which I feel with appropriate

support will meet his needs. If he does not get the support, or the

placement breakdown even with support, then we will probably be

looking at an autism specific placement anyway. The resourced unit

is not autism specific. The lad himself is desperate to attend the

mainstream class and we will be stimmied if the LEA offer far less

than we ask for - the same boat so many people here have sailed in

before. Thanks again Sue

> >

> > Just wondered if anyone knows of any incidence where a statemented

> > child attending a mainstream school had transport included as a

> > provision on a statement. I have always understood that transport

is

> > only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with special

> > resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was

accepted as

> > the best placement for the child, could an argument be made that

the

> > transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting the

> > mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it is

> > relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is at a

> > different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am in a

> > dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him (he

> > likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then picking

> > Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his

brother.

> > The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can

only

> > claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran cannot

> > attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I

wondered

> > if that could be taken into account, despite the relative

nearness of

> > the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

> > Sue

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------

------

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1209 - Release Date:

04/01/2008 12:05

> >

>

[Guest guest]

My oldest has always had transport offered or in our case petrol money as I prefer to take him myself.

This applied wherever he attended school, one school was less than a mile away and mainstream and another was independent and 23 miles away.

Never had to argue for it, was told by LEA he was entitled to it.

Vicky

[Guest guest]

A friend of mine went to Tribunal to get kids(twins) into Tree

House - about 4/5 miles. The borough quoted £38k cost for vehicule,

driver and escort. Outrageous quote and it was taken into account in

the decision against giving them the placement.....

>

>

> In a message dated 07/01/2008 14:25:35 GMT Standard Time,

> bobsallyeva@... writes:

>

> I've never had transport but I seem to have heard that the cost

bears no

> relationship to what one might expect ie it is far more than seems

> reasonable. Costing the whole package against other sorts of

provision

> might be useful in making up your mind. It is probably the process

that

> the lea will go through in deciding what to support

>

>

>

> >>Sam shares a mini bus with 2 other lads, they quote Sam's

transport costs

> at 12K per annum, I guess the same for the other lads, one

expensive minibus

> for 38 weeks a year eh?. Its about 8 miles each way.........FWIW

>

> Mandi x

>

[Guest guest]

I

thought it was only offered if your school was out of catchment.

Sal x

-----Original

Message-----

From:

Autism-Biomedical-Europe

[mailto:Autism-Biomedical-Europe ] On Behalf Of magherabuoysue

Sent: 07 January 2008 00:20

To: Autism-Biomedical-Europe

Subject:

OT - transport provision at mainstream

Just wondered if

anyone knows of any incidence where a statemented

child attending a mainstream school had transport included as a

provision on a statement. I have always understood that transport is

only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with special

resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was accepted as

the best placement for the child, could an argument be made that the

transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting the

mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it is

relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is at a

different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am in a

dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him (he

likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then picking

Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his brother.

The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can only

claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran cannot

attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I wondered

if that could be taken into account, despite the relative nearness of

the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

Sue

[Guest guest]

Thanks Mandi and Sally,

I guess having an escort for one child in a taxi is what would make

it expensive in our case. I don't think we will push for it, just

bear the cost of breakfast club ourselves - fortunately Kieran

already goes to the same place at holiday club, and the manager is

really accomodating, even though they are not autism trained, they

have asked the disability integration officer in for advice.

If pressure is put on me to accept the resourced unit,or way below

our requirements for support, then I will make a point of how we are

very committed to this placement as the most appropriate for his

needs, and lay it on thick about how inconvenient it is for us as a

family, but that we are putting his needs first. The loss of

transport can come into that, and hopefully will convince them that

we are not just willy nilly thinking it would be nicer to have a

child in mainstream rather than in a special class. I will make sure

they understand that less than adequate support means that we will be

looking for autism specific placement ( which is out of borough), and

not the resourced unit.

Most kids leaving the current school do graduate to the resourced

unit,and they are finding it a bit shocking that several of us

recently have looked elsewhere. Thanks again for your input. Much

apprecited

Sue

[Guest guest]

My eldest son(Nt) was at a different mainstream school to the one we

wanted for Charlie. So I was meant to be in 2 places in opposite

directions at the same time. We got my elder son into Charlie's

school, not without a fight of course, because Charlie's school is

much better all round not just for special needs.

Might it not be a good idea to try to get them both into the same

school. In our experience mainstream that is good with special needs

is a better school. There are also lots of so called NT kids with

problems and that are below average these days so mainstream has to

be able to recognise and help the children with problems ( if they

are any good).

Just a thought.

Good luck

Peta

--

- In Autism-Biomedical-Europe , " magherabuoysue "

wrote:

>

> Just wondered if anyone knows of any incidence where a statemented

> child attending a mainstream school had transport included as a

> provision on a statement. I have always understood that transport

is

> only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with special

> resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was

accepted as

> the best placement for the child, could an argument be made that

the

> transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting the

> mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it is

> relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is at a

> different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am in a

> dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him (he

> likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then picking

> Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his

brother.

> The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can only

> claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran cannot

> attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I

wondered

> if that could be taken into account, despite the relative nearness

of

> the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

> Sue

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Peta,

We have thought about swapping Corey into the new school for Kieran.

The kinds of things that have made us reluctant are

- he loves the school he is in, and has made good friends.

- school is the main place where people see him as an individual,

not just as Kieran's brother.

- we are not sure if Kieran will succeed at this placement.

- we don't want Corey to have the pressure of hearing bad comments

about Kieran from the other kids, in case this impacts upon their

relationship, which is pretty good considering Kieran really does not

give him a great deal back

- we have a daughter, only 2 just now, but if we swapped Corey, we

wold then have to also send her to the same school, even though the

main reason for the swap (ie. Kieran's attendance) would only be

relevant for 1 full school year. We will then be in the position of

Kieran attending another school, with similar problems, as it is

unlikely that he would be able to go unattended.

- Corey's school is the one attached to our parish church which we

attend, and so he has a sense of belonging there.

- Kieran has stated that he does not want to go to the same school as

Corey. He has an awareness of how easy Corey seems to find talking

to people, playing and sport etc.

Of course, in the short term, it would make the logistics much easier

and so it is very tempting. To be truthful, when I am knackered, the

resourced unit with a nice lady in a nice taxi coming to whisk him

away each morning feels very tempting. I am sure that some of my

friends, and also parents of other kids in his class, just think that

we are making life difficult uneccesarily.

We have not even been offered a permanent place for Kieran yet - that

in itself will be a relief.

Thanks for your suggestion Sue

> >

> > Just wondered if anyone knows of any incidence where a

statemented

> > child attending a mainstream school had transport included as a

> > provision on a statement. I have always understood that

transport

> is

> > only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with special

> > resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was

> accepted as

> > the best placement for the child, could an argument be made that

> the

> > transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting

the

> > mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it is

> > relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is at

a

> > different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am in a

> > dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him

(he

> > likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then

picking

> > Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his

> brother.

> > The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can

only

> > claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran

cannot

> > attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I

> wondered

> > if that could be taken into account, despite the relative

nearness

> of

> > the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

> > Sue

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sally,

Yes it is Feb 15th. Kieran is transitioning to Junior, not

secondary, but they still try to keep to Feb 15th in our LEA. Our

review is next week, but what is unsettling is that the school we

want for him, and which he attends informally half a day per week,

has not, nor seems willing to indicate whether they actually want to

offer him a place, or what support they would require to offer him a

place. Anyway, I think we have decided against going for transport.

Thanks for all your input. I will post about how the review goes,

even if I am steaming ( with rage that is, rather than steaming

drunk.......although???)

Thaks again

Sue

> > > >

> > > > Just wondered if anyone knows of any incidence where a

> > statemented

> > > > child attending a mainstream school had transport included as

a

> > > > provision on a statement. I have always understood that

> > transport

> > > is

> > > > only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with

special

> > > > resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was

> > > accepted as

> > > > the best placement for the child, could an argument be made

that

> > > the

> > > > transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting

> > the

> > > > mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it

is

> > > > relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is

at

> > a

> > > > different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am

in a

> > > > dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him

> > (he

> > > > likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then

> > picking

> > > > Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his

> > > brother.

> > > > The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can

> > only

> > > > claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran

> > cannot

> > > > attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I

> > > wondered

> > > > if that could be taken into account, despite the relative

> > nearness

> > > of

> > > > the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

> > > > Sue

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------

------

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1213 - Release Date:

07/01/2008 09:14

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue

It is so difficult. One of your points about Corey hearing bad

comments about Kieran - I asked Ross recently if he got embarrassed

sometimes by Charlie's behaviour ( which isn't that bad just odd

sometimes) and he looked at me surprised and said " No I just get

embarrassed by your singing when you walk us to school! " So that put

me in my place.

Ross actually is proud of Charlie because he gets noticed as having a

special brother which the others haven't got. I wouldn't have thought

it would be that way round but Charlie is well liked and popular at

school.

I never considered Charlie failing at mainstream because I felt sure

I would get him right with biomed - and it is working albeit slowly.

Also special schools near Eastbourne are awful.

Good luck

Peta -

- In Autism-Biomedical-Europe , " magherabuoysue "

wrote:

>

> Hi Peta,

> We have thought about swapping Corey into the new school for Kieran.

> The kinds of things that have made us reluctant are

> - he loves the school he is in, and has made good friends.

> - school is the main place where people see him as an individual,

> not just as Kieran's brother.

> - we are not sure if Kieran will succeed at this placement.

> - we don't want Corey to have the pressure of hearing bad comments

> about Kieran from the other kids, in case this impacts upon their

> relationship, which is pretty good considering Kieran really does

not

> give him a great deal back

> - we have a daughter, only 2 just now, but if we swapped Corey, we

> wold then have to also send her to the same school, even though the

> main reason for the swap (ie. Kieran's attendance) would only be

> relevant for 1 full school year. We will then be in the position

of

> Kieran attending another school, with similar problems, as it is

> unlikely that he would be able to go unattended.

> - Corey's school is the one attached to our parish church which we

> attend, and so he has a sense of belonging there.

> - Kieran has stated that he does not want to go to the same school

as

> Corey. He has an awareness of how easy Corey seems to find talking

> to people, playing and sport etc.

>

> Of course, in the short term, it would make the logistics much

easier

> and so it is very tempting. To be truthful, when I am knackered,

the

> resourced unit with a nice lady in a nice taxi coming to whisk him

> away each morning feels very tempting. I am sure that some of my

> friends, and also parents of other kids in his class, just think

that

> we are making life difficult uneccesarily.

> We have not even been offered a permanent place for Kieran yet -

that

> in itself will be a relief.

> Thanks for your suggestion Sue

>

>

> > >

> > > Just wondered if anyone knows of any incidence where a

> statemented

> > > child attending a mainstream school had transport included as a

> > > provision on a statement. I have always understood that

> transport

> > is

> > > only provided to special schools, or to mainstreams with

special

> > > resourced classes. If a mainstream school with support was

> > accepted as

> > > the best placement for the child, could an argument be made

that

> > the

> > > transport need is still there? If we are succesful in getting

> the

> > > mainstream placement with appropriate support for our son, it

is

> > > relatively near to our home. Unfortunately, our other son is

at

> a

> > > different school (totally unsuitable for Kieran)and so I am in

a

> > > dilemma. I suspect I will end up using breakfast club for him

> (he

> > > likes eating !),and taking his brother to school, and then

> picking

> > > Kieran up and using childminder or after school club for his

> > brother.

> > > The cost is difficult as I only work 2 days a week, and so can

> only

> > > claim childcare costs for those days. The fact that Kieran

> cannot

> > > attend his brother's school is due to his special needs, so I

> > wondered

> > > if that could be taken into account, despite the relative

> nearness

> > of

> > > the school? Or am I just being a cheeky ####?

> > > Sue

> > >

> >

>