Matlock, education, social workers ??

[Fly]

Called at my best mans house today, (John, not real name), for a chat, we like to keep in touch.
I used to taxi his son to a special school in Nottingham. Did it for 12 years  John used to come along too as an escort.
Matlock insist children in taxis have escorts to protect them, and the taxi driver, from owt going on. Works 2 ways 

His son is now 19 and has been given funding to go to Portland College at Mansfield for 3 days a week.
He doesn't need an escort, he's an adult, but John can travel in the taxi there and back with his son should he wish. Which he does.
This is not a problem for the taxi driver or the taxi firm.

His son has also been given 2 more days a week at the college, a full 5 days a week, brilliant. Not.

John can only travel in the taxi if his son is in it on these two days of the week. He's been told he will have to get the bus back from the college to Chesterfield.
Then make his own way back to college in the afternoon, collect his son from school and can travel back to Chesterfield in the taxi.

The taxi will still have to come back from the college in the morning, and go there in the afternoon, why can't John hitch a lift.

Cos Matlock say he can't. If he's found to be travelling in the taxi, the taxi firm will lose the contract 
Sorry, never heard such a load of boll**** in my life. The world truly is going mad !!!!! :!

[Slacker]

Might be worth having a word with his local county councillor or write with detailed explanation

[Fly]

Quick pointer to who please Andy. (John) lives in Boythorpe.

Weren't you introduced to him at our evening wedding reception ?
Me and her, not me and you 

[Old Cruser]

Who has made this rule Fly? Speak to child's social worker or manager. I could understand this if the father is being dropped off back at home but couldn't he be dropped off at a central point? Taxi journeys have been tightened up over the last few years for obvious reasons. It may well be down to the manager.

[Fly]

He's been told he can't travel in the taxi for the said journeys.
I don't understand. The taxi driver is ok to travel John for 3 days.
Taxi driver now has 3 days of travel, not 5.
He's losing money. No job. John isn't sending his kid to college those 2 days.

Matlock save money, don't give John travel, or lose the contract 

[Old Cruser]

Are education and S/S sharing the taxi cost do you know? This may be the reason. Probably best to call special needs transport at County Offices and find out why this rule has been made or as I have said S/S manager. It does sound daft

[Old Cruser]

Fly can I ask why the father feels the need to go with him? The action these days is to promote independant living skills

[Fly]

Try and get a 19 year old autistic lad with a very low mental age to go anywhere.
Sometimes the only way possible is to take him yourself.
His new young social worker just thinks oh, he's a big lad, fine, he's adult.

[Old Cruser]

Sorry Fly I thought you had said he 'could' go by himself.
Again ask to speak to the s/w manager if this is where the decision and payment is coming from.