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December 10, 2007 Monday
Workers suspended over assault claim
Echo
A TAXI firm has suspended two employees following allegations of assault on a profoundly deaf child from Canvey.
The Chelmsford Taxibus company is contracted by Essex County Council to take four special needs children to Hamilton Lodge, a weekly boarding school in Brighton for deaf children.
But parents have been unhappy about the care given to children by the drivers and escorts used by the company, given to children by the drivers and escorts used by the company, which recently replaced a local taxi firm used by the county council.
Now mum Donna Rayment has made a complaint to police alleging her daughter, Elisha, 13, was smacked on the arm during a stop at the Clacketts Lane service station, on the M25 in Surrey.
Mrs Rayment, of Rose Road, Canvey, said: "We have had lots of problems with this company.
"I think the council has changed to them just to save money, but we will have to transport our children now."
Parents have also complained that while the drivers and escorts are Criminal Records Bureau checked, they are not required to undergo training to deal with the special needs children, one of whom has cerebral palsy.
Tina Wise, of Warren Chase, Benfleet, has also complained about the standard of care given by Chelmsford Taxibus.
Mrs Wise, whose ten-year-old profoundly deaf son uses the same transport for the journey - which can take from three to six hours depending on the traffic - said: "They have been getting to school later and later. Aaron has to be up by 7.30am so they can get to school by 10.30am.
"Sometimes they are delayed by traffic, but on one occasion they didn't get to school until 2pm.
"The people (looking after the children) change all the time and none of them are trained to deal with these children.
"The old taxi driver and escort, a husband and wife team who had done the job for ten years, were as regular as clockwork and treated the children really well."
Helen Cook, spokesman for Essex Police, confirmed an investigation was under way in conjunction with Surrey Police into the alleged assault.
She added: "We have made contact with the family and are speaking to them about making a statement. Because of the nature of the case, we are arranging for a specialist to be present."
Eleri Roberts, spokeswoman for Essex County Council, would only say: "The people involved have been suspended pending a thorough investigation."
David Prior, manager of Chelmsford Taxibus, said he was aware of the allegation but refused to make a comment.
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