Dad says SEND pupils missing school over taxi delays

The father of a boy with special educational needs has criticised a council after waiting two weeks for a taxi to be arranged to take him to school.

Richard said his son, Archie, who is autistic, has only attended school for two days this term after Oxfordshire County Council failed to arrange the home-to-school transport he is entitled to.

According to Richard, "dozens of families" are affected by similar problems at Archie's school after issues with the council-contracted taxi service.

Sean Gaul, cabinet member for children's services at the county council, said 200 post-16 students were "on track to be assigned travel by Monday".

Archie, 15, goes to Iffley Academy - a specialist school for children with additional needs.

The journey from his home in Shipton-Under-Wychwood takes about an hour and he has been using a council-arranged taxi service, with the same driver, for the past four years.

"The driver was wonderful," Richard said. "He used to buy Archie and the two other children he took to school a Christmas present each year."

But this term, after a change in contract, and without notice, the taxi firm was removed from Archie's route. No replacement arrived in its place.

"We've heard nothing. Absolutely nothing from the council," Richard said.

"Stability and structure is key... It's left Archie a little anxious and a bit on edge because he's not getting to school and he's missing out," he added.

It is still unclear what has led to the delays to home-to-school transport in Oxfordshire this term.

Gaul said of the more than 8,000 travel applications made on time, more than 99% had been arranged.

Children who were only confirmed a school place after the travel application deadline are being considered as a priority.

According to Oxfordshire County Council, home-to-school transport costs have increased by £15m over the past four years, and now totals £43m each year.

Gaul said taxi companies were chosen to operate the routes through a "fair process", but parental preference and continuity of service was not considered in the contract arrangements.

Retired SEND taxi driver Jeff Fishel is still in touch with his former colleagues and said continuity in service should be a priority.

"The relationship that each driver creates with his children is one where we become surrogate parents," Fishel said.

He said the council had changed contracts in favour of less expensive options, without considering the relationship drivers build with the children and parents they support.

The BBC understands taxi firms as far away as High Wycombe have been awarded routes.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: "Passenger safety and the welfare of children and young people remain our overriding priorities."