• Replies 7 replies
  • Subscribers 69 subscribers
  • Views 359 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

School bus passenger assistant mistreating my severely autistic child

SapphireBlue

The PA at my child's school bus has been physically pushing my child off the school bus on the drop off from school. So, I emailed the council's school transport department to let them know and asked for this behaviour to be stopped as my child call lose her balance, fall and smash her head on the pavement. My email to the council was carefully worded without aggression or insults - so the council can't ever accuse me of being anything other than civil and respectful. However, the PA is still on the same bus route and although she's no longer physically pushing my child, she stands behind my child in the same manner that she did when she used to push my child. The PA doesn't do this to any of the other children. My child is her chosen punchbag.

I wish I could feel anger right now, outrage and have the courage of a lion to end this cruel situation once and for all. Instead, I feel sadness, the pain of injustice, powerlessness and worse of all, fear. I think, if this woman is pushing my child in front of me whilst I'm there, then what is she doing when I'm not? I'm old enough to know that human cruelty has no bounds but at the same time I can't understand why the LA would employ people who are capable of such cruelty and abuse.

My little girl has a severe learning disability, is severely autistic and non-verbal. My child can't tell me when someone assaults her. My little girl is non-violent and non-aggressive, but I think it's this particular nature that in a sad way, encourages cruelty and abuse from some people.

My girl is already asking about school and is looking forward to going back to school at the end of the holidays, but I'm dreading it. I don't want to deal with this nasty person who instead of being professional and civil, seems to get off on being vile and cruel.

I'm now wondering, if this woman continues behaving in this way and pushes my child again, should I involve the police? What on earth can I do, if even the council is complicit and complacent in this matter? The council clearly chose not to believe me. Who do I turn to?

I wondered if anyone has ever been in a similar situation or know someone who has where thoughts and suggestions can be shared, please. I'm open to all suggestions and advice.

Parents

  • Hi, forgive me but I have just skimmed over this after what I had read. If the PA was physically pushing your child I believe that constitutes assault. If the council you have reported this to are not handling this appropriately I would strongly advise speaking to a solicitor!

    Although the person may no longer be doing this it really shouldn’t have happened in the first place. It also does not matter if it is 1 child or several, it is unacceptable. 

    I am so sorry that your child went through that and that you are having to handle this situation as a parent. I do hope that you can seek some help to address this properly and also that others may be able to offer a better insight than I have. 

    Kind regards and best wishes to both you and your family

  • in reply to LJ51125
    LJ51125 said:
    If the PA was physically pushing your child I believe that constitutes assault. If the council you have reported this to are not handling this appropriately I would strongly advise speaking to a solicitor!

    This is what I would do too.

    The busses should have some form of CCTV so you could get an order for the footage covering the date in question to give proof if you want to prosecute the LA for the event and their failure to act subsequently.

    When you witnessed the pushing event, have you seen it more than just the once? Is there is a possibility that it was an isolated incident? If so, you may need to consider this before launching a campaign agains the individual.

    Could the individual also have been thought to be encouraging your daughter off the bus firmly but not violently if she was not getting off the last step for example?

    I'm only asking these things to ensure you have certaintly that your beliefs will stand up if it comes to a court battle.

    I agree the behaviour you describe is completely unacceptable so the challenge now is to prove it happened and in the way you describe.

    Good luck

  • in reply to Iain

    Thank you for your comment. Yes, I agree with seeking advise from a solicitor. And understand all the questions that you are asking. I unfortunately witnessed the behaviour several times and the behaviour only stopped because I contacted the Local Authority. When the behaviour first started, I was so shocked, that I initially thought it was a one off, and it wouldn't happen again. Unfortunately, it wasn't a one off, and I remember just not knowing what to do, or how to handle it. I watched it quietly and eventually after several times of this, I was certain that the behaviour was repeated. I don't want to go to court, I don't want to fight anyone. I just want this behaviour to not ever happen again to my child and for the PA to never ever even consider doing this to my child ever again. It's absolutely abhorrent and cruel. Having the backing of the LA means that the PA has absolutely no reason to stop. Thank you again, for your comment.

Reply
  • in reply to Iain

    Thank you for your comment. Yes, I agree with seeking advise from a solicitor. And understand all the questions that you are asking. I unfortunately witnessed the behaviour several times and the behaviour only stopped because I contacted the Local Authority. When the behaviour first started, I was so shocked, that I initially thought it was a one off, and it wouldn't happen again. Unfortunately, it wasn't a one off, and I remember just not knowing what to do, or how to handle it. I watched it quietly and eventually after several times of this, I was certain that the behaviour was repeated. I don't want to go to court, I don't want to fight anyone. I just want this behaviour to not ever happen again to my child and for the PA to never ever even consider doing this to my child ever again. It's absolutely abhorrent and cruel. Having the backing of the LA means that the PA has absolutely no reason to stop. Thank you again, for your comment.

Children
  • in reply to SapphireBlue
    SapphireBlue said:
    I don't want to go to court, I don't want to fight anyone. I just want this behaviour to not ever happen again to my child and for the PA to never ever even consider doing this to my child ever again.

    Sometimes in order to protect someone vulnerable we care about we have to do things well outside of our comfort zones.

    I can understand your reluctance to go down this route, but it is normally the threat of this happening that will make the vast majority of people stop.

    I would advise making a video if you see it happening again (I realise it seems to have stopped) would almost certainly enable you to have the person fired.

    Perhaps you could ask some of your childs friends who would be on the bus when they exit if they can try to record any physical contact from the PA to any child on the bus. Ask them to be discreet.

    Good luck with whatever you decide to do.